11-14 Passing

Possession with end zones

Suitable for 8+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Pass and move
2. Awareness of space
3. Reaction to losing the ball

Session set up –

Set up a medium sized pitch (around 25 by 20 metres). At each end of the pitch have 2 a few metre end zones. Aim of the game is to pass the ball into the end zone and stop it dead to win a point. The same team can’t score in the same end zone simultaneously unless there has been a turnover of possession.
You can progress the game by varying the size of the pitch depending on what you want to work on (e.g smaller pitch for more intricate passing).

Passing/counter attacking

Suitable for 10+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Creating space
2. Pass with accuracy
3. Counterattack spaces in behind

Session set up –

Set up a 65×20-yard area divided into four zones with a goal at each end. Adjust the size based on available space. Use 15 players:2 goalkeepers, 3 attackers, and 4 counter-attackers (one waiting in zone four). 2 additional teams of 3 attackers each wait off the pitch with a ball.
The goal is to score as quickly as possible for both attacking and counter- attacking sides. The game begins with the goalkeeper distributing the ball to an attacking player in zone one. The attacking team moves to zone two, playing 3v1 against a counter-attacker to reach the safe zone (zone three), where only attackers are allowed. From the safe zone, the attackers progress to zone four to try and score against two outfield opponents. If they score, the next attacking team starts. If they lose possession, the counter-attackers spring into action, with an extra player joining to create an overload and launch an attack. Teams waiting for their turn should discuss tactics and observe others.
To increase difficulty, remove the safe zone or add a timer to encourage faster play.

Possession in zones

Suitable for 12+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Intricate passing
2. Working with teammates

Session set up –

Set up 3 equal teams in a medium sized pitch depending on numbers. Split the pitch in 2 and have 1 team in each half. 1 team waits on the edge of the pitch.
Each team will be passing the ball around until on command from the coach, 1 or 2 (depending on numbers) players from the team on the edge of the pitch come in creating a rondo in both halves. Once both sets of defenders have won the ball, they run back to the edge of the pitch and separate players go into the halves attempting to win the ball. Rotate defending teams and give each team a few minutes to win the ball and tally up each team’s score.

Intercepting in passing play

Suitable for 8+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Intercepting
2. Passing patterns
3. Timing of pressing

Session set up –

Have 2 teams of equal players, 1 team attacks, 1 team defends in a small pitch.
The attacking team must make 6 passes to win a point (multiple 1 2s don’t count between the same players). The defending team must intercept the ball to get the ball and cannot tackle the team in possession. After a few rounds switch up the roles. Encourage the defenders to press in pairs or trios. Encourage players to work together to cut passing lanes.

Accurate crosses into the box

Suitable for 10+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Runs into the box
2. Accurate crosses into the box
3. Develops patterns of play

Session set up –

Use half a full-size pitch and split your teams into their positions, have wingers (rw, lw) on both touchlines with a centre midfielder (cm) right in the centre of the pitch. Have a goalkeeper (Gk) and 2 centre backs (cb) on the edge of the box. Then either side of the centre circle have 2 lines of attackers and midfielders with both lines having a football.
One of the lines plays a ball into the cm and then the cm lays the ball back to the player in the other line. The ball then gets sprayed to either wing. The winger then takes the ball down the line and crosses the ball into the box. The cm, the other winger and the 2 players from the line will run into the box creating a 4v2 in the box for when the ball is crossed. The attackers and midfielders will try and score while the centre backs will try to clear the ball. Encourage players to curve their runs in the box so it’s harder for the defender to judge the run. Encourage one attacker to stay on the edge of the box to pick up any loose balls.