
On the half-turn – small-sided game
Three-part session teaching players to receive on the half-turn and break defensive lines. By DAVID PONCIA MORE
With just four passes before a shot has to be made, your players will learn how break from midfield with pace and precision
Speed and incision are key elements in lightning breaks from midfield and this session uses fast movement to play past and eliminate opponents. Accelerating across open areas of the pitch with swift and slick support play are the coaching points in this session
Set up an area of 35×30 yards split into three zones: the outer zones are 15 yards and the central zone is 10 yards. We are using 12 players in this session and the teams line up with two players in the home zone, two in the central zone and one in the attacking zone. You need balls, bibs, cones and two goals.
Players have four passes to score from the moment they get possession. Any more and possession is turned over. Players must stay in their zones if they are defending but when they have the ball they are free to roam all zones.
In a match situation the reality of recovery means that within five passes the opposition defenders will have time to recover and get back behind the ball, so the game revolves around a quick four passes and a shot.