WORLD CLASS COACHING
40 Possession Exercises
By Luca Bertolini
Table of Contents
PART TWO
Possession Exercises 1
Possession Exercises 1
Exercise 1 (play the way you face): ball circulation - 1
Set-up and sequence: 7 players (3 reds with the ball and 4 blacks without) are placed inside a rectangular area and they dribble and run freely. 3 of the 4 black players receive a pass from the reds following the coach signal (a whistle, as instance - 1) and the fourth without possession must move to be an easy passing option for one of the receivers (2), passing again to a red player to complete the sequence (3). He should be placed in front of the teammates who had to change space to receive, as in the picture. The others in possession of the ball must dribble it till the sequence must be started again.
Coaching points: move without the ball, move properly to be an easy and quick passing option.
Exercise 2 (play the way you face): ball circulation under pressure - 1
Set-up and sequence: 8 players (3 reds with the ball, 4 blacks without and 1 yellow defender) are placed inside a rectangular area and they dribble and run freely. 3 of the 4 black players (one of them is under the pressure of a defender) receive a pass from the reds following the coach signal (a whistle, as instance - 1) and the fourth without possession must move to be an easy passing option for the teammate who receives under pressure (2), passing again to a red player to complete the sequence (3). He should be placed in front of the teammates who had to change space to receive because of the opposition pressure, as in the picture. The others in possession of the ball must dribble it till the sequence must be started again.
Coaching points: move without the ball, control and receive under pressure, move properly to be an easy and quick passing option for a teammate under pressure.
Exercise 3 (play the way you face): ball circulation - 2
Set-up and sequence: 10 players (4 blacks, 4 yellows and 2 reds) are placed inside a rectangular area that is divided into 5 zones, as in the picture. 1 v 1 duels are played inside the corner zones and the red players are free to receive and pass all over the middle area, being an easy passing options for the players of the possession team. The ball must circulate among the outer areas, through the red players, passing vertically or on diagonals. When all the players of a color have touched the ball together with the reds, the team gains 1 point.
Coaching points: ball circulation, play out from the pressure, be an easy passing option.
Exercise 4 (play the way you face): ball circulation under pressure - 2
Set-up and sequence: this exercise is a variation of the previous one. 10 players (5 blacks and 5 yellows) are placed inside a rectangular area that is divided into 5 zones as in the picture. 1 v 1 duels are played inside the corner zones and in the middle area, where the players must be easy passing options for the outer teammates. The ball must circulate among the outer areas, through the center one, passing and receiving vertically or on diagonals; the ball must always circulate through the center and directly from an outer area to another. The center players must have link role. When all the players of a color have touched the ball together with the reds, the team gains 1 point.
Coaching points: ball circulation, play out from the pressure, be an easy passing option.
Exercise 5 (play the way you face): 1-4-2 v 2-3-1 (1)
Set-up and sequence: 1 goalkeeper and 4 defenders against 4 black attackers are placed inside an area 5 yards longer than the penalty area. 2 red free players are placed inside a further 10 yards area, acting as midfielders for both the teams. The goalkeepers passes the ball toward one of the midfielders and the attacking move must be developed to score playing always to the nearest and easiest option. If the goalkeeper passes to the defenders, their goal is to keep the possession, passing the ball toward the red midfielders.
Coaching points: ball circulation, play toward the easiest passing options, be an easy passing option.
Exercise 6 (play away from pressure): alternate 1 v 2
Set-up and sequence: 8 players (4 blacks and 4 yellows) are placed inside a rectangular area that includes 2 more smaller zones, where the defenders are asked to play. The players of the possession team are placed along the sidelines of the set-up. The goal of the possession team is to circulate the ball, waiting for a teammate who runs inside one of the receiving area, to control the ball under the pressure of the defenders (1 v 2) and to play out. The passer and the receiver exchange their position after every complete sequence. If the defenders win the ball, the roles of the teams must be switched.
Coaching points: control and receive under pressure and outnumbered, pressure to win the ball exploiting the numerical advantage.
Exercise 7 (play away from pressure): alternate 1 v 3 - 1
Set-up and sequence: 11 players (6 blacks and 4 yellows and 1 red free player) are placed inside a rectangular area that includes 2 more smaller zones, where 2 defenders and 1 forward are asked to play. The other 4 players of the possession team are placed along the sidelines of the set-up. The goal of the possession team is to circulate the ball to allow a teammate inside the center areas receiving a pass, to control the ball under the pressure of the defenders and of the incoming red free player (1 v 3) and to play out. The passer and the receiver exchange their positions after every complete sequence. The goal of the defenders is to create a strong area around the ball to win it back; if they are able to win it, the roles of the teams must be switched. The red player always wins the ball for the defending team.
Coaching points: control and receive under pressure and outnumbered, create a strong area near the ball, pressure to win the ball exploiting the numerical advantage.
Exercise 8 (play away from pressure): alternate 1 v 3 - 1
Set-up and sequence: this exercise is a variation of the previous one. 11 players (6 blacks and 4 yellows and 1 red free player) are placed inside a rectangular area that includes 2 smaller zones, where 2 defenders and 1 forward are asked to play. The other 4 players of the possession team are placed along the sidelines of the set-up. The goal of the possession team is to circulate the ball to allow a teammate inside the center areas receiving a pass, to control the ball under the pressure of the defenders and of the incoming red free player (1 v 3) and to play out toward a 3rd man, after a wall passing combination. The passer and the receiver exchange their positions after every complete sequence. The goal of the defenders is to create a strong area around the ball to win it back; if they are able to win it, the roles of the teams must be switched. The red player always wins the ball for the defending team.
Coaching points: control and receive under pressure and outnumbered, create a strong area near the ball, pressure to win the ball exploiting the numerical advantage.
Exercise 9 (play away from pressure): 2 v 4 to switch the side
Set-up and sequence: this exercise is another variation of the num.7. 10 players (5 blacks and 4 yellows and 1 red free player) are placed inside a rectangular area that includes 2 smaller zones, where 2 defenders are asked to be placed at the beginning. 4 players of the possession team are placed along the sidelines of the set-up and the fifth one starts in the middle. The goal of the possession team is to circulate the ball to allow 2 teammates inside the center areas receiving a pass, to control the ball under the pressure of the defenders (2 of that area, the red free player and the fourth one coming from the opposite center area) and to play out toward a 3rd man, after a wall passing combination. The goal of the defenders is to create a strong area around the ball to win it back; if they are able to win it, the roles of the teams must be switched. The red player always wins the ball for the defending team.
Coaching points: control and receive under pressure and outnumbered, create a strong area near the ball, pressure to win the ball exploiting the numerical advantage.
Exercise 10 (play away from pressure): 1-4-2 v 2-3-1 (2)
Set-up and sequence: 1 goalkeeper and 4 defenders against 4 black attackers are placed inside an area 5 yards longer than the penalty area (the playing area is divided into 3 parts). 2 red free players are placed inside a middle 10 yards area, acting as midfielders for both the teams. The goalkeeper passes the ball toward one of the midfielders who passes back to a fullback; the yellow players must keep the possession, passing the ball to the second red midfielder as soon as possible. The black players must try to create strong areas near the ball to recover the possession (3 v 1 or 3 v 2); if they can, they must shoot as soon as possible.
Coaching points: control and receive under pressure and outnumbered, create a strong area near the ball, pressure to win the ball exploiting the numerical advantage.
Exercise 11 (create connections): 4 v 4 (1) - overlaps
Set-up and sequence: 2 teams of 4 players each are placed in a rectangular set-up and 2 mini-goals are placed in the center of the end lines, as in the picture. The team with possession must build up and finish as follow:
• After a first forward pass (B to C), the receiver must wait for an overlap run of the passer.
• The third teammate must run deep as the overlapping player receives (D).
• The fourth player must provide balance shifting across from the opposite side (A).
• The first receiver of the move (C) must help the attacking move from the back.
Variation: the players decide the overlapping one and the team shape positioning (but the basic shape must be respected).
Coaching points: coordinated movements of the players, speed of play to create connections, quality of passes and receptions.
Exercise 12 (create connections): 4 v 4 (2) - inside overlaps
Set-up and sequence: 2 teams of 4 players each are placed in a rectangular set-up and 2 mini-goals are placed in the center of the end lines, as in the picture. The team with possession must build up and finish as follow:
• After a first forward pass (B to D), the receiver must be placed wide shifting across from the center. After his pass, he must support the attacking move.
• The third teammate must overlap inside to receive a second pass after a 2 times movement (C).
• The fourth player must run deep to help the attacking move (A).
• The first player of the move in possession (B) must provide balance at the back.
Variation: the players decide the overlapping one and the team shape positioning (but the basic shape must be respected).
Coaching points: coordinated movements of the players, speed of play to create connections, quality of passes and receptions.
Exercise 13 (create connections): 4 v 4 (3) - support play
Set-up and sequence: 2 teams of 4 players each are placed in a rectangular set-up and 2 mini-goals are placed in the center of the end lines, as in the picture. The team with possession must build up and finish as follow:
• After a first forward pass (B to D), the receiver must be placed wide shifting across from the center. After his pass, he must support the attacking move.
• The third teammate must overlap inside to receive a second pass after a 2 times movement (C).
• The fourth player must run deep to help the attacking move (A).
• The first player in possession of the move (B) must provide balance at the back.
Variation: the players decide the connections and the team shape positioning (but the basic shape must be respected).
Coaching points: coordinated movements of the players, speed of play to create connections, quality of passes and receptions.
