Possession Game to Develop Aerobic Power

By Alex Trukan

The following practice is aimed at developing the ability to sustain many actions throughout the whole match. In example, that will enable players to produce the same amount of sprints in the first as well as last 15 minutes of the game. In addition, that is achieved in possession game, what increases the motivation of the players and links physical focus with technical and tactical content.

Set up and directions:
Set up a square of 30-40 m. depending on the ability as well as number of players. Organise min. 6 little gates in the middle of the square as shown on the diagram. Divide the group into two teams of 5 players. To score a point, a team should pass the ball through a small gate. The team with more points wins the game.

Method of scoring points in this exercise requires constant support in front and in behind the ball. After single point is scored, the game continuous, with the same team having possession.

As a progression, two medium sized goals can be added on the opposite ends. When two points are scored, a team can try to score in a bigger goal what will give them two additional points. After each goal into the medium sized goal, defending team starts with the possession of the ball.

Instead of medium sized goals, four small goals can be placed on each end line. In this progression, when defending team gets the ball, they can score into one of the four small goals. That goal is worth two points.

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Timing:
Each single game should be played 1-3 minutes. That should be repeated 6-10 times in each of the two series. Rest between single games lasts 3-1 min., while rest between series lasts 4 min. That time can be for example used for low intensity, technical exercises.

Variations:

Two medium sized goals on the opposite sides
Four small goals on each side
3v3/4v4 (on the smaller area and with less gates)
Overload games (4v3/5v4)

By Alex Trukan, Development Coach, Nottingham Forest

About the Author Michael Saif

Lee says July 23, 2014

Great drill

RAFDY MEHDI says March 20, 2015

Hi, How many touches (ball) per player?
Could we play in progression with 3 touches, 2 touches, 1 touche?
To make the game more difficult, after each point scored, the support player can make a long pass to the other side to make area changes!

Sorry for my English written.
Thanks in advance,

Tom Mura says March 20, 2015

Rafdy,

You can start with one ball and then add more if the players have difficulty scoring. Adding a restriction on touches would be a great progression.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

baati youssef says September 18, 2015

c est un exercice analytique de zone qui peu aider les joueurs a comprendre les notions de placement et de deplacement a bien conserver la balle .

Mark Paige says September 18, 2015

I’ve played this game many times with my teams over the years. A key for less skilled teams is to add neutrals who are always on offense so that the offensive team can maintain possession long enough to score before being dispossessed.

Scott allen says September 19, 2015

Hi Alex, can you help me with some drills for a u6 team just learning the concepts of spacing and positioning themselves off the ball to recieve a pass while on attack or defense.

Somi says September 20, 2015

Hi’add ntural player of long lines for more load on defend team.
thanks.

jamesgermurphy says September 24, 2015

great article will try it out.

Ibrahim says January 15, 2016

Thanks great drill! I Will try iT this week on training with 2 bouncers(neutrals). The kids loose the ball to fast on 1vs1.

Tazim Tayub says January 25, 2019

Fantastic matey Cheers wul defo use this drill with my boys
They will love it

Francis Loomans says June 14, 2019

Very good drill: equals a match situation.

Tiripano says October 28, 2019

Great drill will try it out , but I suggest a bigger area that will lead to bigger spaces between the small goals , this will improve pass accuracy.

Possession Game to Develop Aerobic Power

About the Author Michael Saif

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