Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Possession Square

Possession

Focus: Positioning & Awareness, In & Out of possession

Set up

• 10x10m square 
• 2 players from each side inside the square (must stay in the square)
• 2 players from each side outside the square (must stay out of the square)

• Players from each side try to keep possession of the ball
• 1 point for each time they control the ball from one side of the square to the other (i.e. players outside the box start and finish each move)

• Introduce BOTS - 'Where is the Ball? Where are your Opponents? Where are your Teammates? Where is the Space?" 
• Players who are not playing should stay with the coach and observe the group (rotate players regularly)
• Players in the box should make opposite movements to each other (the player at the back has a better view) i.e. one pushes up, the other drops back; one moves left, other moves right ...Diamond formation
• Players on the outside should also make opposite movements to the player closest to them i.e. Diamond formation

• (don't feel you need to progress this practice too soon!)
• Players on the outside have a reduced number of touches
• For an odd number of players, introduce a free player (in the square) who can either be on the possession side or defending side
• 1 player at a time can leave the square to put pressure on the outside players

Think STEP

• Space - do you need to make it larger (easier) or smaller (more challenging)
• Task - can you change the task or challenge?
• Equipment - can you add target areas for example?
• Players - can you increase/decrease the number of players?