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Football: positions

positions DRILLS
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3 v 3 v 3

Station 6 players in 2 teams of 3 in 1/3 of the area and 3 players in 1 team in the other 1/3. The ball starts in the area at the top of the diagram. The 3 players in possession must attempt to advance the ball into the middle area. The team advancing the ball into this area then carries the ball into the opposing 1/3. Now they must attempt to advance the ball to the end line at the bottom of the diagram beyond the 3 players in the bottom 1/3. Defensive players must attempt to prevent the team in possession from getting the ball to either the middle area or the end line. Play continues from end to end with the winner being the first team to get to 5 points/goals. Develop so that 3 defenders become 2 defenders plus a goalkeeper. Now you have 3 attackers trying to beat 2 defenders and score past the goalkeeper.

Conditioned games

Attacking heading with goalkeeper

Group in pairs. 1 ball per pair. Repeat in 5 other areas for a total of 12 players. The goalkeeper serves the ball underhand and with both hands in front of the player. The player runs in and heads the ball towards the goal. He should look up and head the ball downwards and towards the corners. Rotate positions. Serve the ball high or low to encourage the player to dive or leap to meet the ball.

Heading

Breakaway

The blue player stands behind their partner(red). The blue player is in possession of the ball. The objective of the game is for the red player to lose his shadowing blue player. The blue player must dribble at speed to track the red player. When the coach shouts out "Catch me if you can!", both players freeze. The blue player now has to try to pass the ball through the legs of his partner to score. Rotate positions.

Dribbling

Defending 1 On 1 With A Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper passes to player 2, who must attempt to dribble the ball past player 1 and score a goal. Player 1 assumes a sideways position and blocks the path to the goal. If the defender wins the ball, he should try to dribble over the end line. Rotate positions. Allow the player to shoot as soon as he receives the ball. The player must close down the space to the ball and get into line between the attacker and the goal as quickly as possible.

Defending

Pairs scoring challenge

Red 1 feeds ball out to the white team who return them first time into the area. The blue team compete in pairs or as individuals, to score. 5 minutes then swap players and positions.

Shooting

Run and Turn

Play 3 v 3. Each team elects a goalkeeper. This player is allowed to use his hands in the defensive end zone. He must also go forward as an outfield player during attacks on the opposing goal. Rotate keepers every two minutes. When a player receives the ball, he should try to move forward with it. Award 3 points for every successful turn; 5 points for every goal; 1st team to 21 wins. Allow the players to pick scores for different skills.

Dribbling

Run the Ball

One ball per group of 4. Player 1 dribbles the ball to the second line, stopping the ball on the second line with the sole of their foot. Player 1 then passes the ball to player 3 and follows their pass to join player 4 on the end line. Player 3 dribbles to the second line in the other direction and repeats the routine. Continue until players return to their original starting positions.

Dribbling

Super Teams

Group in threes. 1 ball per group. Station players as shown in the diagram. Position crab players in the three middle grids. Standing players combine by dribbling and passing to beat the crab and get a shot on the goal. They must shoot before they reach the shaded area. Rotate positions. Have the crab player stand up. How many goals can the offensive players score in four attacks?

Passing and Receiving

The Diagonal Pass

Players work in pairs, with one ball per pair. The first player makes a square pass across the grid to their partner before running onto the cone ahead. Their partner then plays a pass diagonally across the grid back to their partner who is looking to run onto the ball. The player who started the drill then plays square across the grid again to their partner running onto the ball. The players work their way up to the top of the grid.

Passing and Receiving

Shoot & Rebound Shooting - Foo...

Groups of six. Four balls per group. Position players as shown in the diagram. Repeat in another area for a total of 12 players. Red player 1 passes the ball to red server 3 who passes the ball back into the path of red player 1. Red player 1 shoots low and to the far post. Red player 3 turns and runs to the area at the far post to pick up any rebounds or shots wide of the target. Red player 3 becomes the goalkeeper. Blue goalkeeper goes to the back of the line and blue players 1 and 2 assume the pass and serve positions. Repeat the practice and rotate positions. Save= 5 points; rebound= 3 points; goal= 5 points; shot on target= 3 points.<br>Progression: Make blue player 1 a defender.

General

Table Fusball Shooting - Footb...

Position players in pairs and singles in the zones as shown in the diagram. Players must stay in their respective areas. Goalkeepers can throw or kick the ball into any area. The object of the game is for defenders (lone players) to pass to attackers(pairs) who attempt to shoot on goal. If a defensive player blocks the path to goal, the player in possession should pass the ball to a teammate in a better scoring position. Change positions after a period of time or after a goal is scored by either team. Progressions:<br />1. Add players for groups of 2 and 3.<br />2. Add more balls for younger players.<br />3. Make it 2 touch for older players.

General

Football: Shot Stopping From t...

Goalkeeper receives a back-pass from Server 1 in the middle of the goal. GK then takes a touch into opposite half of field and returns the ball Then moves into line to receive a shot from Server 2 from the angle.

General

Change Soccer Conditioned game...

Position 3 players who link arms or hold hands on the goal line. Play 3 v 3 until coach shouts, &quot;Change!&quot; then the chain breaks and the team previously out on the field becomes the chain in goal. The original chain players now become field players. 3 players from each team form a human chain by linking arms or holding hands. These players are stationed on the goal line in front of a goal approximately 8 yards wide. The team in possession must attempt to score past the human chain defending the opposing goal. Goals and saves are each worth 1 point(players in the chain are not allowed to use their hands to defend the goal and must control the ball within 5 yards to score).

General

Super Teams Passing and Receiv...

Group in threes. 1 ball per group. Station players as shown in the diagram. Position crab players in the three middle grids.Standing players combine by dribbling and passing to beat the crab and get a shot on the goal. They must shoot before they reach the shaded area. Rotate positions.Have the crab player stand up. How many goals can the offensive players score in four attacks?

General

Football: Defending 1 On 1 Wit...

Goalkeeper passes to player 2, who must attempt to dribble the ball past player 1 and score a goal. Player 1 assumes a sideways position and blocks the path to the goal. If the defender wins the ball, he should try to dribble over the end line. Rotate positions. Allow the player to shoot as soon as he receives the ball. The player must close down the space to the ball and get into line between the attacker and the goal as quickly as possible.

General

Strikers Space Shooting - Foot...

Play 3 v 2 in the larger area and play 1 v 1 with a goalkeeper in the smaller(attacking) area. Red player 1 starts with the ball. The 3 red players in the larger area combine to pass the ball into the attacking area. The player who passes the ball into the area follows the ball into the attacking zone to make a 2 v 1 situation. Finish with a shot on goal. Rotate positions.<br />Progression: Play 6 v 5 in an open 30 x 50 yard field.

General

6 vs 2 Invasion Game Defending...

High Intensity drillThis a 6 vs 2 invasion game. Mark out three areas in a line (each box 15m x 25m) using cones (You can adjust the area based on the level of the players and if it is too easy for the Attackers or Defenders).Start with 6 players in each of the two end areas and 4 in the middle area.The aim of this drill is for the 6 players in each end to keep possession of the ball, with those in the middle taking turns to try and win the ball. Players in the end zone have 2 touches maximum or a point goes to the Defenders.To start, a Feeder will throw the ball into one of the ends. Two Defenders will then move into the relevant end and chase down passes in an effort to win the ball back in a 6 vs 2 game.The 6 players will be passing the ball amongst themselves. Once they have completed 6 successful passes then they can pass to the opposite end. When this happens, the players left in the middle will enter that end and do the same thing.The Defenders work for 3 minutes then rotate the playing positions around.

General

Pass Through the Gate Passing ...

In pairs, players pass the ball to each other through a gate, or through a hurdle.

General

Stealth Dribble Dribbling - Fo...

Station 1 player on each end line and a lone defender in the middle of the area. Repeat in 3 other areas for a total of 12 players. The outer players each have a ball. The object of the game is for the outer players to get over the middle line without losing the ball to the middle player. The middle player can only move along the line between the cones. If the defender wins the ball, then the attacking player and defender change places and roles. Keep score of how many times a player can get over the line without losing the ball.

General

Football: Pass, Receive and Ru...

A three way pass and receive drill. The first player passes straight to the red player and then runs out wide ready to receive the red player's return pass which should go through the gate. Once they've received this pass through the gate the blue player plays a long ball (lofted or driven) to the player on the far cone who controls the ball and then dribbles through the slalom back to the start line.

General

1 Touch Shooting Shooting - Fo...

Position players in groups of 4 as shown in the diagram. Repeat in 2 other areas for a total of 12 players.The server (player 3) stands behind the goalkeeper. He makes a pass out to the shooter who strikes the ball 1st time at the goal. This shot must come from the grid at the right of the diagram. Player 2 retrieves any balls from behind the goal. Repeat and rotate.<br>Progression: Serve the ball for a volley or 1/2 volley.

General

Defending 2 On 1 Defending - F...

Player 1 has a ball; the other three balls are placed on discs on the end line. Player 1 passes the ball to player 3, who must advance the ball to the opposite end line without being dispossessed of it by 1 or 2. Player 1 moves in to assume the correct defending position, forcing 3 in the direction of 2 by blocking the right side of the attacker. Players 1 and 2 combine to win the ball. If the defenders win the ball, have them attempt to knock a ball off a cone. Both defenders start on the same side of the area.

General

Pairs scoring challenge Shooti...

Red 1 feeds ball out to the white team who return them first time into the area. The blue team compete in pairs or as individuals, to score. 5 minutes then swap players and positions.

General

Attacking heading with goalkee...

Group in pairs. 1 ball per pair. Repeat in 5 other areas for a total of 12 players. The goalkeeper serves the ball underhand and with both hands in front of the player. The player runs in and heads the ball towards the goal. He should look up and head the ball downwards and towards the corners. Rotate positions.Serve the ball high or low to encourage the player to dive or leap to meet the ball.

General

positions SESSIONS
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1v1 Defending: Press, Contain and Deny

Improve how your defenders contain the attacking threat in a 1v1 with this challenges and games defending session

Counter attacking from deep

Develop the ability to sit back and soak up pressure by inviting pressure to turn the ball over and counter-attack at pace.

Using width when attacking

Stretch your opposition and drag defenders out of position with this wide attacking session, complete with two great conditioned games!

Using the overlap to create goal scoring opportunities

Does your attack run out of momentum due to a lack of support from other players? If so practice the overlap to create more scoring opportunities.

Switch Play - Use the full width of the pitch!

Make the most of the space on the field by getting your players into the mind-set of switching the play, rather than trying to hammer down the same congested channel each time.

Decision Making In & Around The Box

Improve combinations in wide areas and finishing in around the box!

Attacking Transition In Midfield

To improve counter attacking abilities/decision making when winning the ball back in midfield

Passing Accuracy - Ole Ole Ole Session

Hear the crowd chant 'Ole Ole Ole' as your team pass with confidence and consistency to keep possession and tire their opponents!

Dealing with the back pass

Deal with the back pass with composure and skill to be an outlet for an under pressure defence and clear your lines. But it’s not always as simple as it seems… work on coping with even the trickiest of passes!

Crossing & Finishing

Exploit the flanks and get your wide players whipping balls into the danger areas for your forwards to put away. Work on the delivery into the box and the forwards movements to anticipate and reach the cross.

Use of speed with the ball

Improve players capability to run with the ball at pace, eliminating defenders and moving the whole team up the field. Make sure their decision making is up to scratch too.

Defending - Pressing

Press high and defend from the front. Teach your players how to nullify the oppositions outlet and win the ball high up the pitch with this session.

Developing Movement On & Off the Ball

Creating space is a fine art. A midfielder is only as good as they are at finding space. Produce players who are totally at ease with finding the space and taking the ball.

Position Specific Crossing | F...

Improve your team's crossing game - From defensive clearances to scoring goals - working on all positions from defence to attack!

Goalkeeper Handling | Football...

The session works on the goalkeeper's hand position to promote a clean and effective catch. We also look at the position of the goalkeeper in relation to the ball and the server.

Goalkeeper Footwork | Football...

The modern goalkeeper has to be good with their feet. Improve your keepers footwork by building their confidence to take the ball to feet with this session.
positions ANSWERS
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How to maintain our midfield formation?

iam coaching under 16s boys soccer and we keep losing our shape paticulary in mid field and this is where i want to control the game from but there always seem to be no one marking up when there is a quick change of possion

Archived User Coach

where on the field can I play a slow player

where on the field can I play a slow player

Archived User Coach

Looking for mini-soccer 7-a-side formation ideas...

Hi, My team plays in a mini soccer league which is 7v7. Whats the best formation to play in the environment. We have played 2-3-1 all season but i was looking at 3-1-2 this season using the left and right backs as wingers aswell. Any one got any thoughts? Cheers

Archived User Coach

Where to play our tallest strongest player

We have a tall strong player in our under 12 team, he is well built but we are not sure what his best position is ie out and striker or centre back he tends to go on long runs and can withstand strong tackles but he does try to do too much and can tire, he doesn't always pass when he should and often will shoot wide where placing his shoot would be better any suggestions ?

Archived User Coach

Team thrashed every week - where to start?

Team keep getting thrashed every week - where to start? Having been the sole coach/manager of a little league team for the past two years, this year I lost all my senior players. I was therefore presented with 10 brand new lads, some of whom have never played competitive football. We are 8 games in and my lads are getting thrashed every week. The main problems are that they cannot get the ball out of their half, positions are usually a mess, finishing and chance creation are non-existent, and they don't apply any pressure or are unable to tackle. The main problems are keeping the ball as a team, getting it in the opponents half and staying there, and creating/finishing chances. I only have 1 and a half hours a week with them. I don't really know what to do, and I'm a little desperate. Does anybody have any advice? Thanks for literally anything.

Coach, England

How to encourage position discipline (U12's 9 a side)

I have a fantastic group of U12's (9 a side), who I encourage to play with the ball on the floor, quick passing football. We are a very attacking minded team, but that is our weakness - we need to remember that we do not have 8 strikers.Does anybody have any drills or tips for making sure that midfielders remember midfield?

Archived User Coach

soccer field positions

Where can I get a plan of soccer field position and names. I am a new coach to soccer.

Archived User Coach

Positioning ( staying in positions)

I am wondering if there is any drills to help teach kids to stay in positions they are a young age group so its hard so I am wondering if anyone has any ideas

Nat taylor Coach, England

Best way for son to get more involved in matches

At home he is very good at everything but he doesn't get involved as much when matches are on. Is there any way of coaxing him to shoot and do what he does at home?

Chris Coach, Ireland

Under 8s First Friendly

Its my Under 8s first friendly on Friday and most children have only been training a few weeks so know nothing about positions, marking etc.How do you suggest I go about setting them up and explaining what they need to do.I don't mind what result we get as long as they enjoy it.

Bill Campbell Coach, England

Passing

Hi, I'm a 16 year old hoping to get into coaching in the future, I currently coach an u8s grassroots team, I'd like to know how I could stop all of them running after the ball and teach them to stay in their positions, while also passing the ball across and making more room and options. Am I asking too much from 8 year olds?

Gwion Davies Coach, Wales

Passing

Hi, I'm a 16 year old hoping to get into coaching in the future, I currently coach an u8s grassroots team, I'd like to know how I could stop all of them running after the ball and teach them to stay in their positions, while also passing the ball across and making more room and options. Am I asking too much from 8 year olds?

Gwion Davies Coach, Wales

No subs-Under 10's 9 a-side

Hi all, due to lack of recruits I only have 9 players this season for my 9 a-side U10 boys team. I have tried very hard looking for recruits but no luck....so far. My season is starting and I have to work with what I have. I just want to see what tips do you have for me? What can I focus on to ensure this is not too much of an disadvantage!

Craig Killian Coach, Australia

training alone

how can i practice my crossing, passing, dribbling and shooting as a winger

cooper Coach, Australia

, U13's Girls Pass and Movehow do you bring spatial awareness into play so the players are not just passing to whoever they see, at times putting the reciving player in a no win position

U13's Girls Pass and Movehow do you bring spatial awareness into play so the players are not just passing to whoever they see, at times putting the receiving player in a no-win position

Steven Good Coach, Australia

gymnast with amputated arm

Bar routine for gymnast with amputated arm

Mandi Smith Coach, United Kingdom

How to encourage position disc...

I have a fantastic group of U12's (9 a side), who I encourage to play with the ball on the floor, quick passing football. We are a very attacking minded team, but that is our weakness - we need to remember that we do not have 8 strikers.Does anybody have any drills or tips for making sure that midfielders remember midfield?

Archived User Coach

Positioning ( staying in posit...

I am wondering if there is any drills to help teach kids to stay in positions they are a young age group so its hard so I am wondering if anyone has any ideas

Nat taylor Coach, England

Team thrashed every week - whe...

Team keep getting thrashed every week - where to start? Having been the sole coach/manager of a little league team for the past two years, this year I lost all my senior players. I was therefore presented with 10 brand new lads, some of whom have never played competitive football. We are 8 games in and my lads are getting thrashed every week. The main problems are that they cannot get the ball out of their half, positions are usually a mess, finishing and chance creation are non-existent, and they don't apply any pressure or are unable to tackle. The main problems are keeping the ball as a team, getting it in the opponents half and staying there, and creating/finishing chances. I only have 1 and a half hours a week with them. I don't really know what to do, and I'm a little desperate. Does anybody have any advice? Thanks for literally anything.

Coach, England

Teaching a player a different ...

Hi I am a novice coach but have an excellent left midfielder who needs to learn another position- any suggestions on which position and how I go about it? Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Marieke Zieleman Coach, New Zealand
positions COMMUNITY DRILLS
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Passing Inside and Out

4v4 on divided pitch

Exercise 3

1 v 1 pressing

Positions (Alt) 3-4-3

Copy of Starting Positions (Alt) 3-4-3

Triangle Warm Ups

Passing with obstacles

Receiving and passing 2

Pass To Score

positions WEB VIDEOS
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