How to perfect the possession game:
Field size: 40 yards by 30 yards
Number of players: full team
Age range: 8-10
Description: Split into two teams, on one team every player has a soccer ball at their feet while the other team doesn’t have a ball and are the defenders.
The defenders try to knock the balls out of the square and the other team tries to keep possession of all the balls for as long as possible. If a player loses the soccer ball he can then help his other teammates keep the ball. These players can work together to keep three, two or just one ball for as long as possible.
So, in the end, there could be one soccer ball left that the team is passing around and the other team can’t get. Keep track of how long each team keeps possession of the ball. But first off, each individual player wants to keep their ball as long as possible. Work on shielding and protecting the ball individually and then moving the ball and keeping possession as a team. Fun way to get players focused on possession and teamwork.
The team with all the players who have a ball should first start out dribbling and shielding the ball and then move to passing to keep possession of the ball from the defenders. The players try to keep the last remaining few balls between themselves for as long as possible.
This drill is similar to sharks and minnows but the players play as a team and try to keep the ball together once there’s one ball left. This is a fun variation of the game and better for younger age groups.
Equipment needed: Cones and practice vests.
Keep the ball for yourself and leave the opposition to chase their tails, courtesy of this drill from the Nike Academy. Learn how to perfect the possession game in soccer.