Contact Help center
Football Football
HOME Football SEARCH

Football: 3 v 1 possession

3 v 1 possession DRILLS
View All

3 vs 1 Keep ball Possession - ...

Straight forward passing and moving drill with only two touches on the ball. The blue players off the ball can only receive the ball at one of the four cones in each corner of the area and the red player is trying to intercept the ball.

General

3 v 1 long pass Passing and Re...

6 players work in an area approximately 30 meters wide, divided in two with a third boxed area at one end. Red team play a 3 v 1 inside the first area but need to look for early deep ball to blue (3) in smaller coned area. The Blue team has also got a player (2) in the centre zone this player can not enter the area where the reds are keeping possession.

General

4v1 Rotation Possession - Socc...

<br />Four players are placed in a grid with one defender.<br />The four players aim is to keep possession as long as possible.<br />The player who makes the mistake must become the defender.

General

2 v 2 Plus 2 v 2 Conditioned g...

Play 2 v 2 in each area. One ball per practice. The object of the game is to pass the ball to a player on the same team in the opposing area. A goal is scored when a.) the receiver plays a one touch pass back to a teammate in the originating area or b.) the receiver turns with the ball and plays it to a teammate in his area. Score 2 goals when the team advances the ball to the opposing endline and stops the ball on the line.

General

4 v 2 Possession - Soccer Dril...

A 4 v 2 drill depending on which team has possession. A square box is set up using cones. 2 blue and 2 white players are outside this box. The two players defending must prevent the opposing team retaining the ball. Once possession is relinquished the players outside the box are unused awaiting their team gaining possession again.

General

Soccer: Simple 2v1 Possession ...

2 players try and keep possession of the ball against 1 defender who has to put pressure on the player with the ball. Players passing should try and look in the opposite direction to their intended pass (not all the time).<br>Coaching Points:- <br>Use of dummies<br>Pass with all parts of both feet

General

5v3 End Zone Possession - Socc...

The 5 attackers must get the ball from one end zone to the other without losing possession to the defenders.<BR><BR><br>Encourages use of width,depth and possession.<BR><BR><br>Progressions:-<BR>Only use 2 touch<BR>No balls allowed over head height<BR>

General

3 vs 3 Football Possession - S...

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!

General

3 v 1 long pass Conditioned ga...

6 players work in an area approximately 30 meters wide, divided in two with a third boxed area at one end. Red team play a 3 v 1 inside the first area but need to look for early deep ball to blue (3) in smaller coned area. The Blue team has also got a player (2) in the centre zone this player can not enter the area where the reds are keeping possession.

General

4 v 2 Rotation Possession - So...

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.

General

9 v 9 Wide Play Conditioned ga...

Setup: 50 x 40 with wide zone for full backs / wingersExplanation: Ball starts with either the coach or either GK.Once the ball is in play, the defending team are tasked with getting immediate pressure on the ball from front to back.1st and 2nd defenders show press aggressively and force the opposition to play backwards or side wards or long.Look for clear communication from players in positions behind to help support the closest players to the ball.Aim is to win the ball back and counter attack quickly or regain controlled possession.

General

Soccer: Activation - 4v4v4 Pos...

Objective: The team on the outside to retain possession (on outside only) &amp; switch play by combining with middle attacking team. It will get players thinking, moving &amp; working together.Use a 20 x 20 grid and split your players into 3 groups, bibbed up. For example if you have 12 players (3 teams of 4). This activation practice will get players thinking, moving and working together. You will have 1 team spread on the outside of the box and 2 in the middle (one playing as Attackers, the other Defenders). The objective is for the team on the outside to retain possession on outside only &amp; when an opportunity arrives, play to the attacking team (whom combine/pass) and play it back out on a different side of the box. The defending team can only shadow/intercept but can tackle once the ball is inside. If the ball is turned over, then a transition happens &amp; the outside team will swap with the defending team.

General

Passing and Receiving Possessi...

Split your players into three equal sized teams, with two teams starting inside the area and the third spread around the outside of the grid. The team on the outside of the grid are neutral players. When they receive the ball they must pass back to a player on the same team that originally passed to them. The two teams inside the area play a possession game. The challenge for each team is to score 10 (or more) consecutive passes to score a goal.

General

Triangle passing Possession - ...

Set out a triangle with 3 cones all 1 meter apart. Player 1 passes the ball to player 2 through the area of the triangle. Player 2 has to control the ball and touch it to the side before playing a return pass. Players must make sure that when they make a return pass that it is never played through the same side of the triangle that they have just received the ball through.

General

4 v 2 Possession - Football Dr...

Play 4 v 2 keep-away. Attackers are stationed in the corners of the grid. One ball per group. Repeat in another area for a total of 12 players. Attacker 1 starts with the ball. The object is to pass the ball around the outside and middle of the square, playing keep-away from the two defenders. Players score 1 point for a pass around the defenders and 2 points for a penetrating pass that splits the defenders. How many passes can be made before defenders force the ball out 3 times or score 1 goal? Repeat and rotate.

General

2 V 1 Conditioned games - Foot...

Set up 2 goals 10-15m apart. Divide in to 2 groups and line up either side of the goals.2 from one side and 1 from the other enter.The 2 must beat the defender and score

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

Changing 4 v 2 Possession - So...

3 teams of 2, with 2 teams combining to play against the 3rd team. If the 3rd team get the ball, the team that lost the ball becomes the defending team and the other two teams combine to try and keep possession.

General

3 v 3 v 3 Conditioned games - ...

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.

General

Soccer: 8 v 8 four goal game -...

Objective: To change the direction of attack by turning in a small sided game.Detail:Half pitch practice with 4 goals (as shown in diagram).Split the group into 2 teams of 8 with no GK's.Play 8 v 8 with each team attacking and defending 2 goals.Emphasis on changing the direction of attack my turning towards another goal.

General

Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
3 v 1 possession DRILL CATEGORIES
View All
1 v 1 skills Drills
1 v 1 skills Drills
3 v 1 possession ANSWERS
View All

Drills for holding up a ball to allow attacking phase to progress

does anyone have any drills for players holding up possession to either bring other players into the game or run the clock down?

Cooper Cooper Coach, England

Where to start training my two...

I am coaching two U12 boys groups. They have minimal training in the past, I have worked on dribbling and passing. Just starting 1 v 1s. I am training now in a gym, was wondering if any one had any drills that would work with approx. 15 kids?

Archived User Coach

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 500+ soccer drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
Sportplan's 2026 FIFA World Cup Preview

Sportplan's 2026 FIFA World Cup Preview

The 2026 World Cup is nearly upon us. Here is Sportplan's preview for the tournament on who we think is going to do well and which teams to look out for.

June 1st, 2026
|
Cam Hughes
Introducing Coaching Trends: Expert Insights Across 9 Sports

Introducing Coaching Trends: Expert Insights Across 9 Sports

Discover our new Coaching Trends section - in-depth articles covering the latest tactics, techniques and innovations across Football, Hockey, Cricket, Rugby, Netball, Basketball, Tennis, Handball and Volleyball.

March 9th, 2026
|
Sportplan
Banish Your Coaching Nightmares with Sportplan

Banish Your Coaching Nightmares with Sportplan

Save yourself a scare this Halloween and ensure your session runs smoothly. No chaos, no fright, just structure.

October 30th, 2025
|
Cam Hughes
VISIT THE BLOG TO READ MORE
Football POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
pre seasonwarm upsshootingfitnesscreating spacebarcaheadingdribblingsession planscrossingsocceroverlapcornerspossession3rd man runfirst touchgoalkeeperdefendingpassingwarm up

What our users have been saying...

Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.

Excellent site with easy to navigate pages.

Lawrence Hanrahan England

The 'My Stuff' feature is amazing! It's a coach's best friend!

Thomas McArdle United Kingdom

Love the site, it's a fantastic learning tool!

Ian Mckellar America

Wow what a great website, I have found sportplan an important tool for me when planning my netball sessions with my netball team. There are alot of very helpful tips/ideas/skills that I can learn and teach to my team. Thank you sportplan I hope to continue to use your helpful tips and to learn more about improving my teams netball skills. Thanks again....keep it up....

Monique New Zealand

I have been using Sportplan now for 3 years and can honestly say that I have never repeated the same session twice. My girls are always focused and are improving every year. Thanks Sportplan.

Debbie Cross Australia

What a fantastic tool. The Chalkboard and session tools make an unbelievable difference in making training plans in both time and organization. I will be instructing all of my assistant coaches that this tool must be used for all sessions during the season, so that we may build a club coaching resource library.

Wes Campbell Rugby Coach Canada

I can't get enough of the Sportplan, It has given me back the enthusiasm i was starting to lose. My girls are so keen and are ready at 14 to take the next up in their game. Sportplan will help no end.

Cornel Basketball Coach, South Africa

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

  • search our library of 500+ soccer drills
  • create professional soccer coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested soccer plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

SPORTPLAN USES COOKIES

Sportspeople like cookies too! By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More info

Privacy Policy
We are committed to privacy and support current industry initiatives to preserve individual privacy rights on the Internet. Protecting your privacy on-line is an evolving area and this website will constantly evolve to meet these demands.


Cookies
Some of our web pages utilise "cookies". A "cookie" is a small text file that may be used, forexample, to collect information about web site activity. Some cookies and other technologies may serve to recallPersonal Information previously indicated by a web user. Most browsers allow you to control cookies, includingwhether or not to accept them and how to remove them.

Some cookies are necessary for the operation of our website, if you choose to block them some aspects of the site may not work for you. Non necessary cookies are only set when you have given your explicit consent to their use. Such cookies included those set by our statistics package Google Analytics.

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.

More info
Football POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
3rd man run barca conditioned games control corners creating space cricket crossing defending dribbling first touch fitness football games goalkeeping heading overlap passing possession pre season search session plans shooting shooting drills soccer team sheet through the gate turning drills warm up warm ups
YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the growing community of soccer coaches plus 500+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT