Apply pressure, regain possession and then use the ball in this session. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with two progressions to create a full session
This combines a technical warm-up of passing, with movements from the defensive team that scaffolds the learning of the next phase.
Divide a pitch into thirds, with the size relative to the age and ability of your players. Split players into three groups.
Two Blue teams keep possession from the Reds. The Blues look to make at least three passes before transferring the ball across to the other Blue team. The ball must be played below waist height. In this warm up, the Reds apply passive pressure only (no tackling). Only one Red can enter the end zone at a time and encourage the players to change if the ball gets switched (e.g. closest Red player comes in to apply pressure and the other drops back into the middle zone). Switch teams in the middle after two minutes. Blues get a point for every successful transfer, and Reds get a point if they intercept the pass.
Progression: Two Reds can enter the end zone (still only passive pressure).
Encourage Reds to communicate who goes in to press, with remaining Reds forming defensive cover. Blues should shift the ball quickly to unbalance Reds, in order to transfer the ball.
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