
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
This small-sided game enables players to develop concepts of pressing and covering in a match situation.
Divide players into teams of eight, including goalkeepers. Mark out a fairly narrow pitch and split it into thirds.
Play a normal small-sided game. Both teams set up 3-2-2 in possession and a 1-4-2 out of possession. If the out-of-possession team wins the ball back in their attacking third, a goal scored then counts double. The final third line also acts as an offside line. The pitch is intentionally narrow to force forward passes to provide repetition for the out-of- possession team in trying to prevent these.
1. Two teams play on a pitch divided into thirds
2. Teams aim to play and score as normal
3. If a team wins possession back in their attacking third and scores, the goal counts double