WORLD CLASS COACHING
The Complete Guide to Passing and Possession
By Jebreel Bubtana
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part Two
NON DIRECTIONAL POSSESSION EXERCISES
NON-DIRECTIONAL POSSESSION EXERCISES
4v2 Rondo
Rondos have become increasingly popular in recent years with it being a big part of the training that some of the top clubs in the world use such as Barcelona. The numbers you use in this exercise can also be adjusted.
Split your team into groups of 6, with two players set as defenders and 4 attackers. Adjust the size of the area depending on age and ability.
The attackers will try and get as many passes in a row without the defenders win possession.
For every 5 passes, the attackers get a point and every time the defenders win possession of the ball they get a point. Switch the defenders every couple of minutes.
If the attackers are becoming comfortable with keeping the ball then you can challenge them by limiting their touches.
Progression:
The exercise is the same but now when the defenders win the ball, they must make 2 passes to get a point, which means that when the attackers lose the ball, they must work quickly to win the ball back. Once they have won the ball back, they continue with keeping the ball.
Coaching Points:
• Weight and accuracy of pass into the correct foot depending on pressure
• Speed of movement to support player on the ball (read the body language of the player passing the ball and move quickly to support teammate)
• Maintain diamond shape with two options for the player on either side of the ball and the player opposite looking to split the two defenders
• In the progression, react quickly and work hard to win the ball back in order to limit the opponent’s time on the ball and continue with their own possession
• Communication
Rondo Variation
Continuing with the theme of rondos, this one will focus on getting the ball into an area of the field where there is less pressure.
Set up the field as shown below with two identical areas set up next to each other and a 3-4 yard gap in between. Adjust the size of the area depending on the age and skill level of your players. One area will have a 4v2 and the other area will have just one player in it.
The attackers in the area with the 4v2 will try to make at least 3 passes and then pass the ball across to the player in the other area. A point is scored for the attacking team every time the ball is passed across to the player in the other area. The defenders score a point by winning the ball and making two passes. If the attackers lose the ball, they must win the ball back and restart the rondo.
Three of the players in the original rondo now have to transition across to the next square along with the two defenders to create a new 4v2. Again, after at least 3 passes, the ball can be passed across to the area that has one attacker in it.
Progression:
The attackers can pass the ball across to the player in the other area whenever they want in order to encourage decision-making as it may be appropriate to pass the ball across straight away or it may need a few passes to open up the space to do this.
Coaching Points:
• Weight and accuracy of pass into the correct foot depending on pressure
• Speed of movement to support player on the ball (read the body language of the player passing the ball and move quickly to support teammate)
• Maintain diamond shape with two options for the player either side of the ball and the player opposite looking to split the two defenders
• React quickly to win the ball back when possession is lost
• Communication
Three Team Possession Game
This is a great exercise to use regularly as it allows your players to get confidence on the ball whilst also under a little bit of pressure. There are plenty of opportunities for decision-making in this exercise as well.
Split your group into 3 teams with different color pinnies for each team.
One team will defend and the other two will work together to keep possession of the ball. The attacking teams get a point every time they reach 10 passes and the defending team will gain a point every time they win the ball and get it under control.
Every 30 seconds – 1 minute, the coach will shout out a different color and that team becomes the defending team.
Progression:
Now, rather than the coach shouting out a color, the team that loses possession or kicks the ball out of play becomes the defending team. Every time 10 passes are made, the two teams that worked together gain a point each.
Coaching Points:
• Weight and accuracy of pass into the correct foot depending on pressure
• Try to receive on back foot as much as possible, make sure that the body position is open, which will allow the player to see more of the field
• Look over the shoulder to see where the space is before receiving the pass
• Communication
Penetration and Possession Game
A very important aspect of possession soccer is developing the understanding of when to maintain possession and when to try penetrate to score.
Split your group into two teams and assign two of the players to be neutrals. In the middle of your field there will be two triangles as shown below in orange.
A point is scored when either team manages to pass the ball through the triangle and is received by a teammate on the other side.
Progression:
Once the players have got the hang of playing with the two triangles, you can take one triangle out and go with one bigger triangle in the middle.
For more advanced groups, you could also play this game without neutrals.
Coaching Points:
• Decision-making of when to possess the ball on the outside and when to look to penetrate through the middle.
• Patience (when to possess and when to penetrate) so that the players don’t try to force things and look to penetrate when it is not appropriate.
• Weight and accuracy of pass into the correct foot depending on pressure
• Receive on back foot as much as possible, make sure that the body position is open, which will allow the player to see more of the field
• Make sure that the player has looked over their shoulder to see where the space is before receiving the pass
• Communication
Four Zone Possession
In this exercise, players will have to win their dual with the opposition player in their zone in order to keep possession of the ball.
Set up area as shown below with one big square split into four. There is a 1v1 in each square and a neutral in the middle of all four areas.
The players in the four areas are restricted in their movement and can’t leave their area. The neutral can move around freely to create overloads in any area. Every five passes made count as a goal.
Progression:
Allow free movement for all players but keep the four areas to guide the players in possession in terms of keeping as spaced out as possible to make it more difficult for the defending team win the ball back.
Coaching Points:
• The player on the ball should have three passing options so the players off the ball need to move to create angles to receive the ball
• Decision-making of when to pass and when to dribble in the 1v1 in each area
• Receive on back foot as much as possible, make sure that the body position is open, which will allow the player to see more of the field
• Accuracy and weight of the pass
• Communication
The Gate Game
As mentioned in the Penetration and Possession Game earlier, knowing when to penetrate and when to remain patient in possession is very important. In this exercise, the players will have to remain patient in order to find the right moment to pass the ball through a gate to a teammate.
Set up the field as shown below and adjust according to the number of players and their age. There will also be a number of gates set up with cones in different parts of the area.
Split your team into two with two neutrals. Both teams will try to keep possession of the ball for as long as possible with the help of the two neutrals. A point is scored for every pass that is successfully made through a gate. The first team to 10 points is the winner.
Progression:
If your players have a good grasp of the exercise you can increase the difficulty by taking away the neutrals or reducing the number of gates that the players can score a point through.
Coaching Points:
• Weight and accuracy of pass into the correct foot depending on pressure
• Make sure that the players are moving quickly to create angles and give their team mate on the ball passing options
• Patience is key in terms of when to try to score and when to possess the ball. The team in possession does not have to score a point with every pass that they make
• Awareness by constantly looking around and over the shoulder. This will help with the decision-making of when to try to score and when to keep possession of the ball
5v5 with Safe Zones
Set up the field as shown below with 4 squares that will act as safe zones. Adjust the size of the area depending on the age and ability of your players.
Both teams will try to keep possession of the ball. If a player receives a ball in one of the safe zones, then they can’t be tackled (players can’t dribble into a safe zone). Every 5 passes count as a point but make sure this target is adjusted depending on the skill level of your players.
Progression:
Passing from one safe zone to another is no longer allowed. Also, depending on the amount of time your players spend in the safe zone with the ball, you can restrict the time they can stay in there with the ball.
Coaching Points:
• Weight and accuracy of pass into the correct foot depending on pressure
• Make sure that the players are moving quickly to create angles and give their team mate on the ball passing options
• Receive on back foot as much as possible, make sure that the body position is open, which will allow the player to see more of the field
• Awareness by constantly looking around and over the shoulder. This will help with the decision-making of when to try to score and when to keep possession of the ball
