Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Possession Games, Vol. 1 (Start Time: 2013-10-08 16:05:00)

2v2+2s

2 teams of 4 (each with 2 inside players and 2 ouside players across from each other) compete to possess against each other. Both teams must score by receiving the ball from one of their outside players and successfully getting the ball to their teammate on the opposite side of the grid without losing possession. They continually maintain possession back the other way after finding an endline player.

With the outside players being crossways and the lengths not being the same, there is constant transition and adjustment of shape inside the grid.

Offset 5v3

2 teams of 5 fight to keep possession. Each team has 3 of their players inside of the grid while the other 2 are together on one side of the grid. The 3 players inside the grid use their 2 outside players to create a 5v3 possession scenario. Play is live, so the defending team immediately begins keeping possession in their own 5v3 scenario upon winning the ball.

I often use this as a warmup for matches. I have the 2 outside players on each side be side-by-side players from my back 4 (left back and left center back together on one side, right siders on the other). I find it replicates the game well in them being a bit deeper than the fray and looking to keep the ball moving and organize things. The outside players can move anywhere they want to on their line. Inside players can block passes and passing lanes from the outside players, but not steal the ball from them.

For scoring, I usually go with the following:

-6 passes equals a point (passes between outside players is permitted, but doesn`t count in the build up number)

-1 point for passes that split 2 of the defenders

4v4+3

2 teams of 4 (Greens & Blacks) compete to possess the ball with 3 neutrals (Blues), 1 inside the grid and 2 at opposite ends. The endline neutrals can move anywhere along their lines they want and the inside neutral can freely move throughout the grid. Outside players from the competing teams can freely move along their half of the line (separated by a cone) and their inside players can move freely. Outside players cannot have the ball stolen from them, but passes can be blocked.

Many variations can be played. Outside players can enter the grid on the dribble (and be replaced on the line by teammates), teams can compete to maintain possession from outside neutral to outside neutral, players can be told not to pass it to the player who played it to them, teams can aim to reach the most consecutive passes during one possession, etc. Creativity is the point!

My favorite way to play it is to have teams score by receiving the ball from one endline neutral and finding the other one without losing possession. Immediately upon receiving the final pass for the point, the neutral player must begin possession the other way for the team just scored upon.

3v1to6v2

1 team of 5 players (Blues) competes with a team of 2 players (Greens), both with the help of one neutral (Black) who is always inside the grid. When Greens have the ball, they maintain possession against the 1 inside Blue along with the neutral Black, creating a 3v1 inside the grid. If the Blue wins the ball, he immediately begins to maintain possession with his 4 teammates and the neutral Black, creating a 6v2.

Greens score a point after every 6 pass sequence. Blues score a point for every 6 passes and a point for every time the inside Blue and the neutral Black connect a pass inside. Ouside Blues can pass to each other, but only passes ACROSS the grid between outside Blues count in the passing count.

I like to progress to allow the Blues only to score by receiving it from one end and successfully going across without losing the ball.