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Football: grid

grid DRILLS
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2 v 2 Plus 2 v 2

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.

Conditioned games

4 v 2 Rotation

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.

Possession

Kabadi: 4v1

Four players are placed in a grid next to another four players. As soon as the ball is given to one group of four a player from the opposite four must enter the grid too win the ball back. Once the ball is won the defender plays the ball back into their own grid and the roles are reversed.

Possession

Keep ball and kick theirs

For the first part of this drill put your team into 3s and give them one ball per group. Staying inside the grid players must pass between themselves, never standing still, working their way all around the area. Once your players have worked like this for a few minutes you can now add a tackling element into this drill. Players must continue to work the ball around the grid, constantly moving but they must now also try to kick the other team's balls out of the area. The last team in possession of their own ball is the winner.

Passing and Receiving

Only Square Passes

Set up a minimum of 4 pairs of cones in a straight line and get players into pairs, with a player from each pair stood behind the starting cones. In this pairs passing exercise players are only allowed to use straight passes (no diagonal balls). The first pass is played from player 1 (p1) to player 2 (p2). P1 then runs diagonally across the grid to receive the return pass from p2. After passing the ball to p1, p2 must also run to the cone diagonally opposite to receive the next pass. The drill continues in this way until players reach the final cone.

Passing and Receiving

Pass, up and over!

Players work inside a 10 meter long grid with one ball divided into three. The players on the outside pass the ball into the middle player who passes the ball straight back. When the outside players receives the return ball they play it first time, passing a lofted pass over the top of the middle player to the opposite outside player who controls the ball and then repeats the drill from the other side.

Passing and Receiving

Piggy in the Middle

2 players are placed on the outside of the grid and 2 players on the inside. The players on the inside of the grid are the defenders but are not allowed to come out of the grid. The 2 outside players just have to keep possession by playing lofted passes over the 2 middle players.

Passing and Receiving

Square Ball 2

Three players stand behind 1 corner of the grid each. The ball is played to a player on one of the cones. The ball cannot be passed diagonally. The spare player must move to give the ball carrier a second passing option.

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

Through Ball in the Triangle

Set up a rectangle, 15x10m, with a player on each corner plus two defending players inside the grid with bibs on. The outside players must try to stretch the two defenders in order to make space for the diagonal pass. In order to do this they can pass laterally and use dummy passes to send the defenders. Players keep count of how many diagonal passes they have completed.

Possession

Warm Up Grid Agility - Footbal...

Split your players into two groups. Half of the group runs around the outside of the square for one minute at 60% pace. At the same time the other half of your team are working inside the grid. Half of the players have a have a ball. Players must move and call for the pass when they do not have a ball. Players work in each area twice (2 runs around the outside and 2 times inside the area).

General

Football: Two Balls - 2 v 1 Gr...

Set up a 5x5 metre grid with three players and two balls. The defending player starts in the middle of the grid, facing the two attackers. When everyone is ready the two attackers both set off and try to run out any side of the grid without being tackled by the defender.

General

Football: 1 v 1 Passing Grid

The Object of this drill is to retain the ball whilst moving it from end to end.The Setup requires 6 grids and 3 groups of 4 player arranged as the diagram shows. In each central grid there is an attacker marked by a defender. The end grids contain neutral players as a passing option.The attackers start with the ball and work together to create passing channels to manover the ball towards the opposite end. When the defenders win the ball they immediatly become the attackers. The neutral players are always a passing option to the current attackers

General

Back Pass in Grids Goalkeeping...

Mark out a grid with cones. 2 Servers and a Goalkeeper.Server 1 and Goalkeeper play passes between them.Server 2 is 15yds away from the Goalkeeper area.At any time Server 1 can follow the pass into the final grid toward the Goalkeeper. Goalkeeper then must deal with the pass and aim to pass the ball to Server 2 on the end line

General

Piggy in the Middle Passing an...

2 players are placed on the outside of the grid and 2 players on the inside. The players on the inside of the grid are the defenders but are not allowed to come out of the grid. The 2 outside players just have to keep possession by playing lofted passes over the 2 middle players.

General

Square Ball 2 Passing and Rece...

Three players stand behind 1 corner of the grid each. The ball is played to a player on one of the cones. <br />The ball cannot be passed diagonally. The spare player must move to give the ball carrier a second passing option.

General

Box Passing Passing and Receiv...

Players must use their first touch to play the ball either to the left or the right of their square. As soon as they have done this they must then aim to pass the ball through the middle grid and into their partner's square. Their partner must then use their first touch to guide the ball slightly out of their own grid to play the return pass back.

General

Two balls: 2v1 grid game Condi...

Set up a 5x5 metre grid with three players and two balls. The defending player starts in the middle of the grid, facing the two attackers. When everyone is ready the two attackers both set off and try to run out the opposite side of the grid without being tackled by the defender.

General

Alien Invasion Dribbling - Foo...

Station one player in each grid in the crab postion (belly up, on hands and feet). Six players start on one end line. Station discs at the opposite end line. The standing players must dribble across the area without being tackled by the crab players who are trying to kick the balls out of the area. If a ball is kicked out, the player stays in the game and tries to help his teammates get the other balls across. The object of the game is to see how many times the players can dribble across the area until no soccer balls are left. Count how many successful trips players make. Repeat and rotate.

General

Break football Crossing and Fi...

2 players outside the area play a ball into one of their players in the grid. The 2 players in the grid play 2 v 4 to try and score a goal on the half way line by dribbling the balll through the gate. The 4 players try to win the ball and when they do they have to break as quick as they can and try to score a goal. the only 2 defenders that can stop them are the 2 defenders out side the grid. (Blue dot players)

General

Pass and Move Passing and Rece...

Set up a 3 vs. 3 game in a quarter of the pitch. Each team elects a goalkeeper. This player is allowed to use their hands in the defensive end zone. They are not allowed to stay inside the defensive area and must also go forward as an outfield player during attacks on the opposing goal. A team must make at least 2 passes before they can shoot on goal. Award 3 points for every successful pass and 5 points for every goal. The first team to 21 points wins.

General

Kabadi: 4v1 Possession - Footb...

Four players are placed in a grid next to another four players. As soon as the ball is given to one group of four a player from the opposite four must enter the grid too win the ball back. Once the ball is won the defender plays the ball back into their own grid and the roles are reversed.

General

Suicides - Speed Endurance Agi...

Set up to the side, using the pitch markings as an indicator of where to place your cones (on the touchline, in line with the 6 yard box, penalty spot and baseline).On hearing your whistle players sprint as fast as they can to the first line and touch the ground with their hand before quickly changing direction and running back to the touchline.Repeat to the next line.Finish the suicide by running as fast as you can to the furthest cone, touch the line and run back to your original starting point.

General

Colour Passing - Heads up Pass...

Set up different coloured gates around the grid area - the more colours the better. Players are working in pairs, one player dribbling and the other moving to be ready to receive the pass. The coach will call out a colour for the players to respond to (in the animation the colour is 'red'). Depending on what colour the coach has called out the players must move to find an unoccupied gate to pass the ball through. Once the players have passed the ball through the cones they swap roles (dribbler and runner).

General

The Diagonal Pass Passing and ...

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.

General

Football: Activation - 4v4v4 P...

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

Only Square Passes Passing and...

Set up a minimum of 4 pairs of cones in a straight line and get players into pairs, with a player from each pair stood behind the starting cones. In this pairs passing exercise players are only allowed to use straight passes (no diagonal balls). The first pass is played from player 1 (p1) to player 2 (p2). P1 then runs diagonally across the grid to receive the return pass from p2. After passing the ball to p1, p2 must also run to the cone diagonally opposite to receive the next pass. The drill continues in this way until players reach the final cone.

General

4v1 Rotation Possession - Foot...

<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

Passing Triangle Passing and R...

3 players stand around 3 metres apart from one another with one ball between them. They can pass in either direction and should start with two touch football, using strong side footed passes. After a few minutes you can introduce a one touch rule to encourage players to think about where they are going to pass before they even receive the ball.

General

Get through the grid to cross ...

4 attacking players keep switching the ball (each transfer has to go via both link players). Only one defender is only allowed to go out and defend when the attackers have received the ball. If the attacking team switch the ball the defender has to pass the ball to the other defender who has to stop the ball before then being allowed to defend against the wing player. The aim is for one of the wingers to dribble the ball through the grid on the side line and then cross the ball to the opposite winger coming in.

General

Pass, up and over! Passing and...

Players work inside a 10 meter long grid with one ball divided into three. The players on the outside pass the ball into the middle player who passes the ball straight back. When the outside players receives the return ball they play it first time, passing a lofted pass over the top of the middle player to the opposite outside player who controls the ball and then repeats the drill from the other side.

General

Turning unopposed Dribbling - ...

Objective: Technical practice focusing on movements, quality and speed of turns unopposed.Detail:Use same 20 x 20 grid as warm up taking out middle cone only.Give each player a football.All players should dribble around the area and perform specific turns (ie. drag back, inside / outside hook, matthew's, cruyff, etc).Allow players to be creative and showcase their own turns.

General

1 Vs 1 - Four cone game 1 v 1 ...

Players start on cones on the opposite side of the grid. Player 1 starts with the ball and passes it to player 2. As soon as player 2 touches the ball, player 1 can try to win the ball. Player 2 must try and dribble to any of the 3 spare cones in the grid. Player 2 scores one point for beating their opponent to either of the cones on the side and two points if he dribbles the ball around player 1 to the cone at the top of the area. Repeat the practice with player 1 in possession.

General

The Triangle with Movement Pas...

Aim of the Drill; to pass and have the player of the ball react to the pass and provide support by running to the open space.<Br>Set up a square grid with cones.<Br>Place 3 players on 3 of the corners.<br>Player 2 starts with the ball. He initially has support to his left and right from players 1 and 3.<br>He now passes to player 3, player 3 has only support from player 2. Player 1 must recognize this and run to the occupied cone and re-establish support in 2 directions for the ball handler.

General

Pac Man Conditioned games - Fo...

This is an initial pulse raiser to get players focus; physically prepared for the session.Mark out a 20 x 20 grid with cones every 10m.On each line of the grid put a piece of equipment (poles, ladders, hurdles, cones).Put 2 players into bibs (pac men) and everyone else starts spread out next to cone.You can only move alone the lines from cone - cone. If a player comes to a piece of equipment they need to go through it efficiently.If you are caught then you're out or can join the pac men chasing.Introduce balls after a couple of games, where players can take turns to enter skill zone with ball, perform skill; pass to partner (swap).

General

Breakaway Conditioned games - ...

Set out three grids within the area according to the dimensions shown in the above diagram. Play 3 v 3 in the 30 x 40 yard grid.The team in possession plays the ball around the central area. The goal of the game is to penetrate into the attacking area and finish a 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper must stay on the line until the attacker crosses the attacking line.Progression: Allow a single defender to pursue the attacker to pressure or block the shot.

General

grid SESSIONS
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1 v 1 Passing

Work with your team-mates to maintain possession with this passing session

Ball Control, Dribbling and Switching Skills Session

First touch passing and first time control! Make sure your players can control the pass with their first touch to improve the speed of the game!
grid ANSWERS
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how can I progress this session?

Cedric Pisani Coach, Malta

how big is the area

dermot Coach, England

What size is the grid?

Archived User Coach

What is recommended size of box in beat the runner?

Beat the runner has 2 players at either side of a box marked by cones. What size is this box?

Archived User Coach

how big should the grid be

Archived User Coach

what size is the initial grid?

what size is the grid?

Barry Smith Coach, England

what can i get the kids to do while i set up the session?

what can i get the kids to do while i set up the session so they are running through the set up

Archived User Coach

hello ive got a under 10s team im trying to make them?

hello ive got a under 10s team im trying to make them pass and move and get the player who has the ball support we are playing seven a side at the moment i play 3-2-1

gavin prince Coach, England

Need help with training my U9s with passing?

Hi All, Need help with training my U9s with passing during the game. I have one player (centre mid) that knows how to pass at the right time during the game. The rest of my team, meaning LM and RM and striker put their head down and just run with the ball. What can i use during training to make them think about passing during a game. Thanks in advance

Archived User Coach

How can i teach the team not to herd the ball

I am a coach with a U12 girls team, we are having difficulty keeping them in their zones...they all rush to where the ball is and the other team passes into the open area and then socre.

Archived User Coach

I coach 20-30 adults and need creative ideas for engaging large groups!

Hi, I coach about 20-30 adults on half a full size astro turf pitch (which we only have for an hour so time is very limited). They are a decent ability and I'm just wondering if anyone has any creative ideas for either big group drills that keeps them all engaged or smaller drills that are easy to set up and they can rotate around. Thanks

Archived User Coach

U8 Team chaos - help needed?

Hi I manage and coach two current u8 boys teams and as you can imagine training sessions with 16 boys can be slightly chaotic at times, I need some fresh ideas which will help me maintain control but that the boys can all participate in and enjoy please?Faye

Archived User Coach

4-6 year old training drills

I train 4-6 year olds and they all have different skill level some have only just learnt to kick a ball and others are good so im just wondering if their are any drills that suit both skill levels keeping the better players still happy and not bored

Nat taylor Coach, England

What is the grid size

I think I asked once before, but I can't find the answer. On the drill pages there is a grid on field size, how big is each square? I'm thinking it is 5 yards

Fritz Mizell Coach, United States of America

Drills for Large Session. U 7/8

I have been planning a sessions for 70-80 kids using 4 grids. Each grid has 1-2 coaches with 2-3 drills, then we rotate grids after 8-10 minutes. We have had success so far but are moving indoors and would love more ideas for drills. Each grid has 15-17 kids. They are U 7/8 co-ed and the session is one hour.

Aimee Dunn Coach, Canada

switching ball

what does it mean that the ball is switched after 4 passes?

Jane Jones Coach, England

What is the grid size | Sportp...

I think I asked once before, but I can't find the answer. On the drill pages there is a grid on field size, how big is each square? I'm thinking it is 5 yards

Fritz Mizell Coach, United States of America

How to stop playing panic socc...

Newer program, my kids for the majority play panic soccer, and just send the ball downfield. Any advice how to get them into a mindset of building the ball out and maintaining possession?

chris mckinney Coach, United States of America

defending the long ball | Spor...

defending the long ball

Archived User Coach

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