Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): 5v5 Possession Game

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Description - Inside the octagon a possession game will take place with a middle box created which only 2 players can occupy at once. The purpose of this box is to reward players for getting into positions to switch play by moving into the box to receive. If a player receives the ball in the box can they turn and play out another direction? 

Rules - only 2 people can enter the box at once (one from each side) when in the box you can not be inside for longer than 5 seconds. 

Points - 1 point awarded for every 5 passes in a row. 3 points awarded if the ball is played to the player in the middle and possession is maintained. 

Aim - the team in possession must try to keep the ball from the opposition utilising the space available to them inside the octagon. The rationale behind the use of the an octagon shape for this game is to encourage players to receive the ball at an angle as opposed to square passes. The rationale behind using a box in the middle is to encourage the players to get into positions to receive the ball which will hurt the opposition. 

Coaching points - Receiving on the back foot to play forwards, movement off the ball to get into positions to affect play, can you get yourselves into the box at the right time before the opposition player can put pressure on you? Time your run! Check in and out of the area to potentially create space for another player to exploit, weight of pass is important at times can you play soft passes to attract defenders towards you and quickly change tempo to exploit the space they've left behind? 

Progressions - you can have players staying in the box and you can condition the game where it becomes a 2v2 in each half by cutting the pitch in two where the ball can only be played to the other side if it goes through the player in the middle. This will increase difficulty a lot however it will encourage good movement on and off the ball the create space.