Contact Help center
Football Football
HOME Football Coaching Trends SEARCH

Football: supporting

supporting DRILLS
View All

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

Activation - 4v4v4 Possession Game

Objective: The team on the outside to retain possession (on outside only) & switch play by combining with middle attacking team. It will get players thinking, moving & 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 & 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 & the outside team will swap with the defending team.

Possession

Change Soccer

Position 3 players who link arms or hold hands on the goal line. Play 3 v 3 until coach shouts, "Change!" 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).

Conditioned games

Decision-making and creating the overlap

The player stood on the half-way line passes to the player up field and then runs in to create an overlapping run. The player on the ball can choose to: Take on their defender. Pass to the supporting striker. Pass to the overlapping player. The attackers should play out the drill and try to score.

Crossing and Finishing

Directional transfer

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.

Passing and Receiving

Four Goal Game with spare player

Two teams of seven players play on half a pitch with no keepers. Each team must have a wide player on each wing. A spare player should be put into a separate colour (see yellow player taking the center in the image). They are always playing for the team in possession of the ball to give them the extra man.

Conditioned games

Pass, support and shoot

1) Player 8 plays to player 1 who returns the ballslightly wide. Running onto the wide pass player 8 passes the ball down the side to meet the diagonal run of player 4. 2) Player 4 shoots and player 1 makes a supporting diagonal run to the far post for rebounds.

Shooting

Strikers Space

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.Progression: Play 6 v 5 in an open 30 x 50 yard field.

Shooting

Two 3 vs 1s - Final game

A Competitive game between 3-4 teams. Each team takes it in turns to run out to the box and tries to pass the ball 5 times around the box which is defended by one player. After the 5 passes they can advance into the box and try to get past the second defender and score. Every 5 successfully completed passes count as a point. A Goal counts as another point.

Passing and Receiving

Width and Forward Runs

Place 5 cones across the middle of the area, 10 yards in from each sideline. Play 4 vs 4. The ball is not allowed to travel through or over the discs. The object of the game is to get the ball wide in the near side of the field and attack the flanks of the attacking area. Although the ball is not allowed to travel over the discs, players may make runs over the discs.

Conditioned games

Pass, support and shoot Shooti...

1) Player 8 plays to player 1 who returns the ballslightly wide. Running onto the wide pass player 8 passes the ball down the side to meet the diagonal run of player 4. 2) Player 4 shoots and player 1 makes a supporting diagonal run to the far post for rebounds.

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

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

Football: pass and shoot - Spo...

Put the players in three lines, each line needs some balls at the front. <br />Player 1 makes a forward run to receive the ball from one of the players in the player 2 line. Player 1 receives the ball and shoots. After player 2 has passed the ball they make a lead run to receive the ball from players in the player 3 line. Player 3, after passing, makes a lead run to receive the ball from player 1. Players should change the line they stand in every time they restart.

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

Football: Combo Pass, Cross an...

The drill starts with player 3 moving to the red cone and then coming back to receive pass from player 1. Once player 3 has received the ball player 2 runs forward in support and receives the ball from player 3. Player 2 controls and then plays a long switch ball to the wide player 4 who is on the move down the line. The wing player then runs down the line and swings in a cross for the 3 other players to run onto and attack!

General

Tails Conditioned games - Foot...

All players have a bib tucked into the back of their waistband (must be visible). On the whistle, players attempt to catch as many bibs as possible - whilst keeping their own one in the back of their waistband.

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

Decision-making and creating t...

The player stood on the half-way line passes to the player up field and then runs in to create an overlapping run. The player on the ball can choose to: Take on their defender. Pass to the supporting striker. Pass to the overlapping player. The attackers should play out the drill and try to score.

General

Football: Four Goal Game with ...

Two teams of seven players play on half a pitch with no keepers.Each team must have a wide player on each wing.A spare player should be put into a separate colour (see yellow player taking the center in the image).They are always playing for the team in possession of the ball to give them the extra man.

General

Width and Forward Runs Conditi...

Place 5 cones across the middle of the area, 10 yards in from each sideline. Play 4 vs 4. The ball is not allowed to travel through or over the discs. The object of the game is to get the ball wide in the near side of the field and attack the flanks of the attacking area. Although the ball is not allowed to travel over the discs, players may make runs over the discs.

General

Wonder Wingers Crossing and Fi...

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.

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

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

Pass Wide, Cross and Attacking...

Players line up in 3 queues, with the ball starting with player 1. Player 1 makes a 1-2 pass with player 2 before passing the ball down the line for player 3 to run onto. Player 3 times their run to meet the pass and gets the ball under control before swinging a cross into the box for the players 1 and 2 to run onto and head into the goal.

General

Early Cross Crossing and Finis...

Set out 5 x 15 yard channels in each corner of the area as shown in the diagram. Station one player in each channel. Play 2 v 2 in central area.The goalkeeper serves the ball to one of his two teammates in the central area. The goal is to get the ball to either of your teams players stationed in a channel. This player delivers a crossed ball into the attacking area. The two attacking players stagger their runs into the near post, mid-goal and far post areas. Finish with a shot or header on goal.<br>Progression: When the wide player gets the ball in the channel the opposing wide player on his side of the field may run into his area to challenge the cross.

General

Football: Double cross - Twice...

Player 1 starts the drill of by passing the ball to the wide player. The wide player then crosses the ball into the box on their first touch for both the attacking players to run onto and attack (near and far post runs). Immediately after the two strikers have headed for goal the opposite wide player then delivers in another cross into the box. After the second cross players swap roles (crossers join the queue and the attackers become the two next crossers).

General

Football: Team Crossing and Fi...

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.

General

Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
supporting SESSIONS
View All

Shooting Circuits

Continuous finishing session to develop your players technique and thought process when in front of goal. Make sure they?re making the right decisions to put the ball in the net!

First Touch and Dribbling Confidence - Make every touch count!

Make every touch count - Improve everyone's first touch and passing awareness in this fun drills and game session!

Supporting front players in the final third

Play with the ball in the final third. Create sustained attacking pressure by working on the timing of runs and developing the players passing skills.

Shadow Play

Develop your players attacking awareness and use the shadow play technique to give your players the right understanding of their movement and to adopt the right positions on the field.

Passing with Pace and Supporting

Leave opponents for dead with confident one and two touch passing. Improve your team's combination play today
supporting ANSWERS
View All

Teaching young players about offsides?

Any drills for teaching young players about offsides and more importantly keeping a good defensive line and moving as a unit

wayne nimblette Coach, England

Fun Drills for under-8's

I'm supporting an under 8's team, and would like some advice and drills/ideas to help bring on their skills and also keep them engaged?

Boots1968 Coach, England

4-3-3 and U23s - basic coaching methodology

I'm coaching a u23 development squad and due to the nature of them bringing eligibility rules this year, we have a squad of variable quality. Any tips/drill/s plans around effectively coaching 433 would be awesome.

Daniel Rock Coach, New Zealand

How to promote teamwork in my u9 football team?

I am taking over a u9 team next season and will have some new players and players who are familiar with one and other. how can I promote teamwork in my sessions?also does anyone have good ideas on how to create a positive environment for the kids to give feedback to each other. Many thanks!

Adam Brett Coach, England

What's the best way to teach p...

I am coaching 11 7 to 8 year olds what is the best way to teach them about positioning

mark davies Coach, England

Fun Drills for under-8's - Spo...

I'm supporting an under 8's team, and would like some advice and drills/ideas to help bring on their skills and also keep them engaged?

Boots1968 Coach, England

How to promote teamwork in my ...

I am taking over a u9 team next season and will have some new players and players who are familiar with one and other. how can I promote teamwork in my sessions?also does anyone have good ideas on how to create a positive environment for the kids to give feedback to each other. Many thanks!

Adam Brett Coach, England

Teaching young players about o...

Any drills for teaching young players about offsides and more importantly keeping a good defensive line and moving as a unit

wayne nimblette Coach, England

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 500+ football drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans
STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_football
LATEST COACHING TRENDS
Game-Based Learning: Why Play-Practice-Play Is Replacing Drill-Based Coaching

Game-Based Learning: Why Play-Practice-Play Is Replacing Drill-Based Coaching

The coaching methodology revolution sweeping grassroots football - and how to implement it at your club this season.

March 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
Load Management for Grassroots Coaches: Training Smarter, Not Harder

Load Management for Grassroots Coaches: Training Smarter, Not Harder

Why the best coaches in 2026 are measuring intensity, not just running drills - and how you can do it without expensive technology.

March 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
Rondo Drills: The Foundation of Modern Possession Play

Rondo Drills: The Foundation of Modern Possession Play

Why Barcelona's favourite training exercise should be in every coach's toolkit - and how to run rondos that actually transfer to matches.

February 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
VIEW ALL COACHING TRENDS
Football POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
first touchwarm upsheadingdribbling3rd man runsoccerpre seasondefendingbarcawarm upsession planscornersshootingpossessioncrossinggoalkeepercreating spaceoverlappassingfitness

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+ football drills
  • create professional football coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested football 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 football coaches plus 500+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT