Pass and keep ball

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Retaining possession and reacting to transitions is vital for midfielders – this helps players create space to attack.

WHY USE IT

Keeping the ball in midfield is key to setting up attacking play.

SET UP

You need balls, bibs and cones. Use the centre circle of an 11-a-side pitch or create a 15-yard diameter circle. We have used 10 players in our example.

HOW TO PLAY

Split your players into two teams of five. One team operates wholly inside the circle; the other team has two players inside the circle and three outside. The team inside the circle must play seven consecutive passes to score a point – give extra points if passes split the two defenders. The pressing players try to block or intercept passes. If they win the ball and find their team-mates on the outside of the circle, three of the former possession team must leave the space. This creates a 2v2 possession game, with the new possession team using the players outside the area until possession is overturned again.

Coaching points

Passing and support play, good movement and getting ‘open’ to the pass.

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Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

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Paul Butler, Florida, USA

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Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."