By Matt Carroll -
The replacement grid game is a multi-faceted small-sided game that allows coaches to focus on a variety of topics including the first touch into space, the effects of passing on the positioning of defenders, the interchange of positions, and more.
The drill begins with a 40x40 box with two teams. Each team places 2-3 of their teammates outside the box as bumper players. It may help to set up an outer box since at certain points of the game the bumper players can be pressed, but it is up to the coach’s discretion.
The game begins with a ball being played in by the coach like a normal game of keep away. Players can then play a pass to one of the bumper players on their own team. If they do so the bumper player must enter the grid and the passer must leave the grid and become a bumper. The passer leaving the grid can exit anywhere on the field, so long as they are no longer in the grid and do not receive a pass before they do so. They receiver should look to break a line with their first touch if under pressure, or hold the ball and draw pressure towards them in order to then play away from pressure. The bumper needs to enter the grid quickly because if they receive a pass they are considered live and can be pressed by the opposition. If they lose the ball outside of the grid the ball is given to an opposing bumper player and the play begins with a kick in. On the kick in the bumper can player to a bumper player and they can be pressed, but both players remain out as bumpers.
Scoring can be included as well by creating gates for bumper players entering the grid to go through. Scores can be applied to these gates, the further towards the center the more points the player scores. This would simulate the player being able to penetrate deeper into the opposition’s lines. Points can also be awarded for being able to win possession before the bumper player can enter the grid.
By Matt Carroll -
