Soccer: Functional Team Space

Objective: Develop different methods to transfer the ball to specific areas of the pitch. Detail: Mark out a 40 x 40/50 x 50 (age and ability dependant). Squad practice - 16 players 2 players from each team opposite each other one playing one way and the others playing the other way. Remaining players 6 v 6 inside area. 2 balls per team. Transfer the ball around the area from one end to the other through the outside players. Decision/A & D of support/Acc & Qual of pass. Quality of movement on/off the ball. Supporting long pass of neutral players. Quick combination play. Defending as a group/compactness. Collective pressure/communication/positioning.

Use the drag and push technique to build it to a pass.

Get players working in two's coming forward, dragging and pushing the ball before dribbling forward and passing the ball across. This drill builds confidence and will show holes in technique.

Fake the pass. Stop striking foot with sole on top of the ball. Turn on the foot planted on the ground. At the same time drag the ball backwards with the foot on the ball.

Set up a square roughly 10m x 10m. Have a few players at each corner. In 2 of the corners (diagonal) a player starts with a ball. They run clockwise around the square, when they get halfway to the next corner they pass the ball to a player there. In this way the ball continually is passed clockwise around the square. Once each player has passed a few times switch to anti-clockwise. 

Players work in pairs and pass over an initial distance of the width of the penalty area (smaller depending on age of players). The aim here is for players to keep the ball on the ground and get it to their partner as quickly as possible using a driven pass.

Set up as shown with 2 players outside the small diamond area. 1 ball between the two. The area should be a 4x4 diamond, however the shape and size can be modified depending on the level of your players and the main aspect of controlling and passing that you want to achieve. Players pass to each other, taking 2 touches, the first with the exterior to control and the second with the interior to pass. At any moment one of them can take the first touch with the exterior to another side, this is a trigger for the other player to quickly take up a new position oppposite and they keep working again from this new position.

Working with one ball between 2 players pass the ball to each other. When they receive the ball the player should try and control the ball with the outside of their foot, using their first touch to push the ball slightly in front and wide into space, for the player to follow and then play to their partner. After each pass players should run back to the same spot to receive the ball.

Put the players in pairs with one ball between 2 The players should try and pass the ball slightly wide of each other. The receiving player has to play the ball with the inside of their non kicking foot across their body own body with their first touch and then kick the ball back to the other player with their strong foot.

Put the players in pairs with one ball between 2 the players should try and pass the ball slightly wide of each other. The receiving player has to play the ball with the inside of the non kicking foot to play the ball into a space across the body, to step and kick the ball back to the other player.

Put the players in pairs with one ball between 2 the players should try and pass the ball straight to each other. The receiving player has to play the ball with the outside of the kicking foot to play the ball into a space, to step and kick the ball back to the other player.

Set up a square roughly 10m x 10m. Have a few players at each corner. In 2 of the corners (diagonal) a player starts with a ball. They pass the ball clockwise around the square, to the next corner and follow their pass. The ball is passed clockwise around the square. Once each player has passed a few times switch to anti-clockwise. 

Players 1 and 2 pass the ball back and forth. Player 4 tries to create space so that player 3 can receive the ball on the inside and have a free run onto goal.

Player 2 curves his/her run away from the passer and then back to the ball. Player 2 receives the ball and turns towards goal in 1 motion. Player 2 then delivers a cross for the waiting centre forward.

Set up a square roughly 10m x 10m. Have a few players at each corner. A Player (1) from one corner runs anti-clockwise towards Player 2. Player 2 passes into the feet of Player 1 and starts running clockwise to the next corner. Player 1 then passes the ball on the diagonal for Player 2 to run onto. Once received, the ball in then passed onto the next player to repeat the pattern. Play moves anti-clockwise, allowing each player to have a few turns. Then play clockwise.

Set up three lines of three across the pitch. The players on the half way line start with the ball and pass up to player 2's feet. Player 2 controls the ball and turns (where possible with just one touch) and plays a one-two (wall pass) with player 3. Upon receiving the return pass player 2 shoots first time.

Player 1 passes the ball wide of the cone to player 2. Player 2 has to try and play the ball onto the cone with their 1st touch

1 Ball between two players. One player feeds and catches the ball the other player has to play the ball back with the instep of the kicking foot. Both players should be moving backwards and forward saying the same distance apart at all time

Players start 10 metres apart in 2 lines facing each other. 1 ball per pair. Get the players passing to each other using the instep pass.