Session: AO.116 
 Age: 12-Adlt |
 Intensity: Medium |
 Time: 20 mins |
 Positions: All |
 Players: 15 |
 Area: 40x35 yrds |
Exercise Objectives
- Coach possession specifically in a 4-3-3.
- Coach transitions.
- Coach play in tight spaces.
Organisation
Diagram 1. Set-Up Arrangement
Set-Up
- Mark out a 40x35yrd grid preferably in the space between the half way line and the 18yrd box. (20 mins) 15 players (Players can be split by units of the team, i.e. defenders, midfielder grouped together).
- Use players in their appropriate positions to prepare them for a football match. i.e. Have a CF, CM and CB down the spine of the exercise (in yellow below)
- Coach monitors the game from the sideline or on the field and supplies balls (if needed).
- 5 blues start in the central playing area. 4 reds on the edge of the playing area and one representing the central attacking midfielder inside the grid.
- Teams can be set-up in different formations if needed to practice against a specific opponent.
Roles/Positions
- Back 4 can be grouped together with one more player (i.e. as either the blue or red team to build teamwork and understanding). The midfield 4 and one other play could also be grouped into one of these colours.
- The 5 yellow neutral players should generally be two CD's, two holding CM's and one CF to reflect their actual positions.
- Try to position players based on their game positioning. Refer to Diagram 2 to see how this exercise allows a team to maintain possession in an actual 4-3-3 shape
Start Position(s)
- 2 teams compete to maintain possession using the neutrals (yellows) to combine with when in possession. Plenty of footballs should be available to be passed in by a coach to make play continuous. If the defending team (blue) wins/intercepts the football from the outside players, they must switch positions (transition) going from their compact defending shape to an expansive attacking shape.
Scoring/Rules
- Possession passing targets can be set (i.e. 8 consecutive passes). Or count the number of times the ball is passed from a CB through to the CF without the defending team intercepting the football.
- Outside attacking players cannot pass to each other on the same side.
- 2 touch on the attacking (outside positions).
- 1 touch on the attacking (outside positions).
- Modify to have 2 attacking central players.
Coaching Points
- Quick transitions. Attacking transition and defending transition.
- Movement to create supporting angles.
- Pressing (Cutting off passing lanes, immediate pressure on the ball carrier).
- Make play predictable (showing inside/outside).
- Speed of thought (thinking a pass ahead)
- Scanning play to see options.
- Limited touches and quick ball rotation.
Diagram 2. Set-Up Arrangement
- Attacking team (Red) positions 2 players on each sideline that act as the outside backs and wing forwards of a 4-3-3. Blue (defending team in the central playing area). 5 Neutral players (Yellow) that combine initially with reds on the sides of the playing area.
- This diagram is to show how the team in possession resembles a 4-3-3 system of play when combined with the five neutral players.
Diagram 3. Maintaining Possession
- The red team combines with the yellow team to maintain possession of the football. Whilst the blue team defends and attempts to press (counter press) and intercept the ball.
Diagram 4. Transitions
- On intercepting the ball the blue team now combine with the yellows and transition to the outside of the playing area (expanding). One Blue player stays in the central area to act as an attacking midfielder. The team loosing possession (red) now enter the central playing area and attempt to win the ball back.
