Soccer: Finding space - Team exercise

Players 1, 3 and 5 are feeding the ball towards the 6 yard box. Players 2, 4 and 6 take turns to either head or volley towards goal. Once players have either fed, or shot they swap to the other side.

Player 1 (red) runs the ball to the third cone. They then play a diagonal pass across to the player on the opposite side. The player on the opposite side runs to the third cone in tandem with Player 1 (red) and also plays a diagonal pass to Player 2 Red. Repeat. After making the pass players should chase their pass across so that they force the nearest player to get the ball out of their feet quickly.

Two Players are placed on the wing. 2 central Players begin their run once the crosser has taken their first touch. After the cross has been delivered swap roles.

Player 2 receives the ball from player 1. Player 2 should control and receive the ball on the half turn, turning out towards the touchline. Player 2 then travels with the ball and crosses into the penalty area for the attacking player.

Player 2 receives the ball from player 1. Player 2 receives the ball on the half turn towards the touchline. Player 2 travels with the ball and crosses the ball into the penalty area for the attacking player.

Make a pitch from the edge of one penalty box to the same the other end, full width. Set up a goal with a GK at each end. A group of Attackers start in the centre circle. A group of Defenders start offset to the left of them. The coach feeds the ball in to and Attacker and they run forward to a 1 vs 1 situation with 1 Defender. The Attacker should take on the Defender and attempt to score. Once the Attacker has taken a shot they recover in an arc to receive a ball cross in from the right side. As this is going on, when the GK at the other end has seen the coach pass the first ball then they pass the ball to a player in the fullback position out to the right (F). F passes the ball down the line to a winger (W), who will be the one to cross the ball in after the Attacker has taken their first shot. At the same time the exact same is happening at the other end of the pitch. Players move positions: The Attacker becomes the F for the other side, attacking in the other direction. F follows their pass to become the W, the W joins the line of Attackers. Rotate the Defenders after 5 minutes.  Play different progressions/variations for about 30 minutes in total. Includes breaks for water and feedback to the players

With the signal given by a player and then the corner taker, the ball is delivered to the signal-giver at the front post. This player then plays a 1,2 with the corner taker, who then crosses the ball to the back post. Here, one of three players who have made a run from the edge of the box should be able to attack the ball. The rest of the team should make runs to create space and time for the pass to happen.

One player gives a signal at the back of the box and the corner taker relays this to the team. The corner is then taken with the players having different roles. The player who gave the signal plays a 1,2 with the corner taker, passing it back after receiving it from the corner taker. The corner taker receives it back, who then delivers a low cross.The three players should all make runs to the 6-yard area, where they should be able to lose their markers and attack the ball.

A player at back end of 18-yard area gives initial signal for type of corner to be taken (one hand or two hands up for example). The corner taker then relays this signal to the rest of the team. Their team-mates in the box should have different roles, depending on their position. The player who gave the signal should run to receive the ball from corner taker, and runs with it before shooting or passing.

Again, a player at back end of 18-yard area gives initial signal for type of corner to be taken (one hand or two hands up for example), which is then relayed to the rest of the team. With the rest of the team in different positions and roles, the player who gave the signal should be able to run into space at the front post. They then receive the ball from the corner taker and takes a shot.

The crossing player starts with the ball on the half-way line before coming forward and playing one-two's with the players in the cones, while continuing their run forward down the wing. After recieving the second pass, the crosser will now cross into the box, where two attackers will try to beat two defenders and a goalkeeper to the ball and score. The attackers start in the coned area outside the penalty area and sprint into the box once the crosser has received their second pass.

Player 2 sets up player 1 to hit a diagonal ball to player 3, before this player lays the ball back to player 4 who moves onto ball at match pace and hits a cross into either the near or far posts. Players 5 and 6 move onto ball to finish, while the crossers may recycle ball if it comes wide, by crossing it back into the box. Repeat the drill from the other side.

2 Players transfer the ball from right to left at the same time. It is important for players to receive the ball from the player on their right. They should move closer to the passer. On receiving the ball, the first touch should be played towards the intended pass. Once the ball is transferred the player runs back to transfer the next ball.

Set up 4 meter wide channels along each sideline. Play 3 vs 3 in the middle area (between the channels) with a goalkeeper at both ends. Station one player in each channel. The object of the game is to get the ball to your wide player as quickly as possible. As soon as the wide player receives the ball they should sprint to the goal line and cross the ball in towards the goal to their team mates who are attacking the near and far posts.