Want to learn how to keep the ball? Want to play like Barcelona or Manchester City and learn how to keep the ball while under pressure? This is an ideal possession soccer drill. Find the open player and get out of pressure.
Field size: 40 yards by 30 yards
Number of players: full team; 8 versus 8 or 6 versus 6
Age range: 14-16
Description: Possession game with a neutral player – rotate players in and out of this position whether they’re a defender, a midfielder or forward – get players comfortable with taking on the role of the play maker and asking for the ball and offering support.
Split the players into two groups, six versus six or eight versus eight with one free player. Keepers can train on their own or take part in the drill. Change the tempo by saying a team wins a point after they connect ten passes. This will immediately increase the intensity of the drill.
Try using a coach or an older guest player as the neutral player, since they can help push the game to a higher standard of play and keep the game simple by giving and get the ball.
Many times, with young players, they want to make the game more complicated than it is. They don’t make those simple passes but instead try to dribble or making the amazing pass. Pass and move is what it’s all about.
Equipment needed: Cones and practice vests.
“This activity provides a great learning environment for soccer players to see how switching the point of attack can reduce pressure and allow for maintaining possession. I really like the idea of connecting 6 passes before the switch so players learn how to keep the soccer ball and then move it”.
Soccer session 5v5 plus 1 neutral player and switch play.
