
Scan, receive, turn – Small-sided game
Help your players make quicker and better decisions with this three-part session. By Matthew Thomas MORE
Play 6v6 or, if you have odd numbers, use a floater that can play for either team.
The teams try to score a point by passing to a team mate in one of the corner boxes.
Players can move freely around the area but can only enter the corner boxes at the same time as the ball. If they enter a corner box too early this is considered offside. This encourages players to time their runs.
In addition, the ball must be played from any of the larger areas except the one in which the corner box is being targeted. This needs longer passes and quick switching of play.
Upon scoring a point possession is maintained. To re-score in the same corner box the ball must leave that quarter of the area before returning.
Play to, say, 10 points before changing teams around.
Helping players understand how, when and why we switch play in a game.
Area: 60×40 yards divided into four rectangles with 8×8 yard squares in each corner
Players: 12
Equipment: Cones, balls
The teams score by passing into one of the
corner boxes.
Players must not enter a box before the pass is made.
Passes into the box cannot be made in the
same quarter of the area.
“Find space”
“Is the switch on?”
“Don’t run into the box too soon”
Insist that points can only be scored with lofted or chipped passes and must not hit the ground before entering the box.
Give a bonus point if the ball is controlled in the air – using the chest for example – thus encouraging aerial control skills.
Avoid crowding in one area by encouraging players to keep moving.