Setup
Coaches place 2 goals about 4 meters apart apart facing inward on each goal line. We always use 2 goals per goal line such it is difficult for a team of 3 players to dedicate one player to be "the goalie". It also forces players to always make a decision to kick to the left or right mini-goal.
Coaches look for intensity in the drill.
There should be a sprint to the ball from both players.
It is important for the players to run back and reset quickly. When players do not reset quickly enough, we can introduce a forcing function where the next team can only step on the field once the previous player runs past the team's goal line. The next ball is introduced to the first team to send their next player on the field.
We ask players to introduce balls to increase the number of touches, but when the intensity is not there, coaches should step in to introduce balls quickly, so there is no downtime.
1v1 Face off
With 2 teams of 3 players, we have 2 players of each team lining up on their respective goal line, and one player on the sideline at the half-field mark.
The player on the sideline from each team alternatively introduces a ball to the middle of the field. Player at the goal line stand with one foot on the goal line. When the ball is introduced, first player to the ball is the striker. Second player is the defender.
The striker must quickly find a scoring opportunity by using a minimum number of fakes and feints to create enough space, and take a shot. A shot in goal wins a point.
A defender that get possession of the ball, or prevents the striker to shoot for 10s, wins a point.
The game reset when a player scores, or the ball goes out of bounds.
Once the sources of balls have dried up, players rotate so a new player from each team is standing on the sideline to introduce balls.
Technical elements the drill works on:
- dribbling, fakes and feints, striking the ball
- tackling and intercepting the ball
1v1 Shield, turn and shoot
Both teams form a line of 2 players in front of a mini-goal on the same goal line. The third player stand between the goals on the same goal line, and alternatively introduces balls to the middle of the field.
First player to the ball is the striker. Second player is the defender.
The striker must shield the ball, turn and shoot to a goal with 10s. A shot on goal wins a point.
A defender that get possession of the ball, or prevents the striker to turn for 10s, wins a point.
The game reset when a player scores, or the ball goes out of bounds.
Once the sources of balls have dried up, players rotate so a new player from each team introduces balls.
Technical elements the drill works on:
- shielding, turning
- fakes and feints, striking the ball
- tackling and intercepting the ball
2v2 Wall pass
Each team has 2 players standing in front of a mini-goal on their goal line. The third player stands between the mini-goals on the opposite goal line.
One team has their 2 players enter the field with the ball. They must first pass to the third player before attempting to score. The 3rd player cannot enter the field and must pass the ball back with one touch.
The opposite team has their 2 players enter the field as defenders. When defenders recover the ball, roles switch. Idem, there must be wall pass to the 3rd player before attempting to score.
The game reset when a player scores, or the ball goes out of bounds.
Once the sources of balls have dried up, players rotate so a new player from each team introduces balls.
2v2 wall pass - start one behind the other
3v3 Pressing
2 attacking players line up to the outside of mini-goals on a goal line. 3 defending players line up on the same goal line. The 3rd attacking player lines up between the mini-goals on the opposite goal line with a ball.
There must be at least one pass between attacking players before a shot can be attempted. When defenders recover the ball, roles switch. There is no restrictions on the number of passes before defenders can score.
The game reset when a player scores, or the ball goes out of bounds.
Technical elements the drill works on:
- marking
- pressing
6v6 Pressing
We add 6 cones to the 2x2 minigoals setup to split the playing field in 4 rectangular zones side-by-side with the mini-goals on the side of the outside rectangles.
Each team of 3 players occupies a rectangle, and passes the ball between them within that rectangle.
When the coach identifies a rectangle, that team must scores within the mini-goals in the opposite half field. The team in the same half of the field also plays as attacking players. Both teams in the oppposite half of the field are defending.
When defenders recover the ball, roles switch.
The game reset when a player scores, or the ball goes out of bounds.
Variations
- coach identifies rectangle shouting "blue", "red", "yellow", "orange"
- coach identifies rectangle by showing a jersey up in the air
Technical elements the drill works on:
- marking
- pressing