FineSoccer Drill 61

Today's drill is actually a continuation of a the transition drill at http://finesoccer.com/finesoccer_drill_39.htm.  To give you a quick review of the drill, it involves having three teams (equal numbers) playing a possession game were two teams are trying to maintain possession of the ball and the other team is defending.  Whichever team loses possession of the ball becomes the defending team against the other two teams. this is an excellent way to work on possession, defending and communication.  See FineSoccer Drill 39 for further detail.

This new exercise is the next step in this same series.  Instead of simply playing for possession, now you play toward two goals.  If it's red and blue vs. white, red and blue are attacking one goal while white defends that goal.  If a red player scores, then they defend the other goal and it's white and blue attacking.  If a blue player loses possession during this attack, then they defend against red and white going the other way.  Now all of a sudden, you have possession, penetrating, finishing,  defending, transition, communication and even goalkeeping if you want.

It's extremely important for the players to look to attack the opposing goal at speed (for this reason it's also extremely important for the coach to enforce offsides so that all of the teams play fairly).  

In playing this game, smart teams will always be thinking about proper shape and balance (both offensively and defensively) and also communication is a huge part of this game.

Give this game a try and once the players (and coaches) get accustomed to this, I believe you will find this to be a great way to work on many aspects of the game.

If your team uses a zonal defense, this is an excellent way to work on it as well.  Put your 3 or 4 defenders on the same team and since on the defensive side they can't match up man to man, they will be forced to work on zonal defending.  A good way to prepare for this drill defensively is to first do FineSoccer Drill 49.

If you have any other variations of this drill, please feel free to share them at the FineSoccer Forum.

Have a great day!

Lawrence