Retaining possession and reacting to transitions is vital for midfielders – this drill helps players create space to attack
Keeping the ball in midfield is key to setting up attacking play.
You need balls, bibs and cones. Use the centre circle of an 11-a-side pitch or create a 15 yard diameter circle. We used 10 players in the session.
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 wholly 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 pitch until possession is overturned again.
Passing and support play, good movement and getting ‘open’ to the pass.
1. The team of five must try and make seven consecutive passes inside the circle to score a point
2. The two defenders must press play and try to make blocks and interceptions to win the ball
3. If the pressing pair wins the ball, they try to get it to an outside team-mate
4. If the pressing pair gets the ball to an outside player, they take over possession and the team of five become the pressers
5. Three players from the team of five must leave the circle and wait until their team-mates win the ball back before they can return
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