Finding the Third Man

Set Up:

There are six players set up in the small grid, starting at the cones. Player 1 passes up to Player 2 and runs into the center. Player 2 plays it back to Player 3, who lays the ball off for Player 1 to run onto. Player 1 passes up to Player 4, who starts the next combination with a pass up to Player 3. Players 2 and 3 stay in the center as the other players shuttle back and forth across the grid, and switch out after 3-5 minutes.  

Coaching Points:

1.  The first pass up has to be hit with pace. If not, then the player will have to hold his run.  

2.  Player 1 has to watch the play develop in order to time his run correctly.  

3.  Player 1 calls for the layoff pass before Player 3 receives the back pass.

Set Up:

During the game, the teams play 2v1 in each of the three zones of the field. All players must stay inside of their own zones during play, but they can pass to any of their teammates. When a defender wins the ball, the other two defenders cross over into his zone to play 3v2. Balls played out of bounds are re-started by the Feeder, and after two minutes, the players switch pairs and/or zones.  

Coaching Points:

1.  After a combination, immediately look for a pass out of your zone.  

2.  You need time to make the long pass from one end zone to the other. Don’t force it.

3.  Maintain possession until a good opportunity to switch the ball materializes.

Progressions: 

1.  Play 1v1 plus one in each zone.

Set Up:

Both teams start with two players in each half. The team in possession sends a third player in from the midfield line (Player 3) to begin the attack. The goalkeeper outlets to Player 3, and the attack continues 3v2 to goal. Upon completion, Players 1, 2, and 3 in red rotate off the field, and the two defenders (Players 4 and 5 in black) stay on. Player 6 in black joins the attack from midfield, and two new defenders (Players 4 and 5 in red) run into their half to defend. Play continues back and forth across the field. When defenders win the ball, they pass back to the keeper to start the next attack.

Coaching Points:

1.  Attacking – Push the dribble down the middle of the field and commit the first defender.​

2.  Passing – Look for the one touch pass between the two defenders.

3.  Use combinations (emphasize the overlap) and be unpredictable.

Progressions / Regressions:   

Progression 1:  On turnovers, teams can go directly to goal without using the keeper.

Progression 2:  Progress to 4v3, Both Ways 

Set Up: 

There are 19 players set up on a full field, playing 7v7 plus three, with goalkeepers. During the game, the defenders play in a 4-3 formation, and the attacking team can play with whatever formation they choose. When a goal is scored or a ball is put out of play, it is re-started by the GK. The neutral attackers switch out every ten minutes, and with each switch, the attacking team changes to a different formation

Coaching Points:

1.  Play one and two touch soccer, moving the ball faster than the defenders can recover.

2.  Anticipate changes of possession and attack with superior numbers.

3.  Maintain possession until a good opportunity to attack materializes. Don’t force it.

Progressions: 

1.  Limit the attacking team to two touches.

Set Up:

Two teams play on a field a bit smaller than a full field - penalty area width and one end line moved up to the edge of one penalty area. The length of the game is 30-40 minutes and play is continuous, meaning no stoppages by the coaching staff to instruct. If the coach desires, he can use two minutes at the halfway point to water break and to give very brief instructions, something pertaining to the coaching topic for the practice.

The two teams should not let the other team know what formation that they are playing, and they should try to run a formation that is different from that of the other team. Once the game has started, it is up to the players to sort out the other teams' attacking and defending shapes.

Coaching Points:

NONE!

Progressions:

1.  Extend the width of the field out to the sidelines. Allow teams to make changes in positions and/or formations during that short break. 

2.  The coach can move players or groups of players to create the desired match ups. For example, starting back line versus starting strikers.