Football: Activation - 4v4v4 Possession Game

Each teams has 3 players and one goal to defend and one to attack.

The ball is not allowed to stop or go over head height.

By passing and dribbling the ball players must try to score three goals - first to three wins!

The aim of the drill is to work on helping your team keep possession all over the field. The game starts with normal rules, no limitations on touches, with both teams simply trying to score. The game changes when the coach shouts the following:

1. Possession - Players must keep possession in their own half, which of course means they are not allowed to score. If a team wins the ball, they must take the ball to their own half and try and keep it.

2. Normal - Teams return to a normal game and are allowed to score.

3. Barca - Similar to possession, but this time players must attempt to keep the ball in the other teams half, but they are not allowed to score. If the other team wins the ball they must get the ball into their opponent's half and keep it there.

The 5 attackers must get the ball from one end zone to the other without losing possession to the defenders.


Encourages use of width, depth and possession.

Four players are placed in a grid with two defender. The four attacking players aim is to keep possesion as long as possible.

The player who makes the mistake must swap over and become the defender.