Close attacking passes
Often in crowded areas of the pitch teams lose the ball by trying to hold on to it or with misplaced passes. Short passing in areas like the penalty area is key to keeping the ball and creating space for the goal scorers. MORE
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The Rules
Play with two teams of five players, you can use a floater if you have an odd number or one team is weaker.
When in attack, a goal only counts if all the attacking team, except the goalkeeper, are on or over the halfway line when the goal is scored. If a goal is not scored in this way then the attackers retain possession until they are over the line. And when the last player crosses the line they can then score.
All defenders must be in the defending half or any goal will count double, this encourages quick attacks and recovery runs.
Objectives
Counter attack quickly and push forward as a team, and recover as a team to defend.
Key Skills
Reacting to gained or lost ball, speed and direction, passing and forward runs, defend and delay, and recovery runs to mark players or space.
Set Up
Area: 60×40 yards pitch with halfway line
Players: 10 plus 2 goalkeepers
Equipment: Two goals, cones, ball
The attackers must be on or over the halfway
line for a goal to count.
Introduce a minimum of three passes before
the ball goes over the halfway line.
All players must remain in one half until the
ball is dribbled or passed over halfway line.
What To Call Out
“Can score”
“Quick play”
Development
- Introduce a minimum of three passes before the ball goes over the halfway line to encourage playing out.
- All players must remain in one half until the ball is either dribbled or passed over the halfway line.
Hint
Change the size of the pitch for extra fitness work.
