By Steven Smith
Blackjack
Teams: 7 v 7
Time: 10-12 minutes
Objectives: Increase possession skills in teams of all developmental levels
Possession oriented play is essential to the modern game of soccer. Many of the activities to develop possession allow for maximum success by giving space for possession or by giving extra attackers to the possessing side. The ability to control the ball in possession in tight spaces is often ignored in training session by prioritizing success and space.
This activity emphasizes possession while having to concentrate and think more than just one step ahead. The athletes will need to move to position themselves for maintaining possession in very tight spaces (much like the full sided game when compressed to a certain portion of the field). This movement and communication necessary under strict pressure of time and space can have a great effect on maintaining possession once the game whistle blows.
Set-Up
Two teams of seven players occupy a rectangular grid in any portion of the field. Coach serves the ball to either color team for initial play. Each successful pass is counted in sequence until the score of 21 is achieved. Every ball that goes out of play is left out and the coach starts a new ball without hesitation to the team who did not knock the ball out of bounds. Quick transition to the new ball is essential. Once a total (not sequential) 21 passes is achieved the game ends and the losing side must respond with a consequence such as a series of sideline to sideline sprints and the game resumes. A third team waiting in the wings can substitute for the losing side and begin possession by being served the first ball.
Variation
Add goalkeepers to the end who can play the ball with either their feet or to the hands (coach's preference) but the pass to the goalkeeper does not count as part of the total completed passes toward the accumulation of 21 passes (see drawing 2).
Other sideline players can be added on the sidelines but their passes are limited to one touch wall passes and do not count toward the accumulation of 21 passes (see drawing 3).
Add a neutral player to inside of grid wearing red. Each time a team successfully finds the targeted red player two passes are counted for that success. This allows players to meet the challenge of playing with a plan and finding a target player in the midst of pressure (see drawing 4).
By Steve Smith
Steve Smith has been a men's college coach that holds an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and a Doctorate in Physical Education.
