Counter-Pressing Drills

By Arthur Bell –

Setup:
Area – 30 yds. X 30 yds.
Players x 8 – 11.
Cones x 6.
Balls

Execution:
4 players on the outside plus 1 on the inside V 3 defenders.
Players in black keep possession, passes must go through the player in the circle.

If the three players in the middle win the ball, they immediately try to attack one of the goals. If they score then the defenders are rotated.

The five players who lost possession immediately counter press.
If they cannot press immediately, then they should block the routes to goal.

Variations:
1. Players are restricted to a maximum of two touches.
2. Players play the ball one touch.
3. Play 7 V 4.

By Arthur Bell

Two Team Crossing and Finishing Drill

By Arthur Bell –

Setup:
Area – half field.
Players x 12 – 18.
GK x 1
Cones x 6.
Poles x 3
Balls x 6

Execution:
Players divided into two groups or teams.
One player in each group at each of their coloured cone.

Player A passes to player B, player A then sprints out wide round the pole to get in a position to cross.
Player B lays the ball off for C.
C passes the ball out wide for A.

Players B and C bend and stagger their run around the middle pole into the box ready to receive the cross

5

Three new players must immediately move to the cones to get ready for the next sequence.
As the wide player A crosses the ball, the other group (yellow) can start the same sequence.
Play continues in this alternating fashion.

Variations:
1. Players are restricted to a maximum of two touches.
2. Players play the ball one touch.
3. Players alternate sides.
4. Goals can only be scored with a header or volley.
5. Competitive, first team to score ten wins.

By Arthur Bell

Triangular Passing Drill

By Arthur Bell –

Setup:
30 x 30 yard area.
Players x 12.
Cones x 6.
Balls x 3

Execution:
3/4 Players at each corner of the large outside triangle.
One player in the small central triangle facing one of the outside groups.

First player on the outside with the ball passes to the facing central player, then sprints to the end of the next group.

Central player receives and passes ball back to the group, then turns to face the next group.

This sequence is repeated at the next two corners.

This sequence continues for a specific time e.g.45s, before changing central player.
Keep the tempo as high as possible.

Variations:
1. Players are restricted to a maximum of two touches.
2. Players play the ball one touch.
3. A second central player is added.

4. A third central player is added.

5. The central cones can be used as mini goals and the central players replaced by Goalkeepers.

By Arthur Bell

Drill to Play Through the Central Area

By Arthur Bell –

Setup:
Age and stage appropriate area.
Cones x 8.
Outfield players x 12+.
Balls x 2

Execution:
First player passes long to second player.
Second player receives and lays ball back to the supporting third player.
Third player plays ball in front of the fourth player.
Fourth player moves to the ball and passes to the end player.
Players follow their pass to replace the receiving player.

This is repeated on the other side at the same time.

Variations:
First player passes long to second player.
Second player receives and lays ball back to the opposite supporting third player.
Third player plays ball in front of the fourth player.
Fourth player moves to the ball and passes to the end player.
Players follow their pass to replace the receiving player.
This is repeated on the other side at the same time.

2. Players take a maximum of two touches
3. Players play one touch.

By Arthur Bell

Three Team Rondo

By Arthur Bell –

Setup:
3 areas of 15 x 12yds.
The middle zone has 3yd channels marked with cones.
Outfield players x 12.
Teams x 3

Execution:
Three teams of four players.
One team in each half of the pitch and one team in the middle zone.
The team in the middle zone must split into two groups of two players.
To start, the black team keep possession against two yellow defenders.

The players can score in two ways
(1) Passing down the side channel or
(2) Making 8 passes.
If the ball is passed down the channel or leaves the pitch, then the two yellow defenders return to the middle zone and two other yellow players must run to defend 2 v 4 against the red team.
When inside the middle zone, the yellow players are not allowed to block passes in the channels.
Play for 3×3 minutes with each team having a turn as the middle team.

Variations:
1. The players are limited to a maximum of two touches.
2. Team in possession must make 8 passes and then pass down the side channel.
3. Defend with 3 players

By Arthur Bell

The X Passing Drill

By Arthur Bell –

Setup:
An area 30 x 30 yards.
Players x 16.
Cones x 8.
Balls x 4.

Execution:
Four players at each corner.
Second player in each corner has a ball in their hands.

First player in each corner sprints into the small central box and turns 90 degrees to the left.

Continues towards the next corner.

Player with the ball in their hands throws a feed to the incoming player’s head.

They head ball back to the feed, using the chest as the target area. Then turn and sprint back into the central box.

This sequence is repeated at the next two corners.

When returning to their base corner, the feed throws the ball to the incoming player’s head.

The player heads the ball back to the target area and continues their run to back of the line.

When the feed catches the ball, they hand it to the player behind and they sprint into the central box to repeat the sequence.

This is repeated until all four players have completed the sequence.

Variations:
1. The feed throws to the chest, the incoming player takes one touch on the chest and one touch to pass it back along the ground.
2. The feed passes the ball on the ground, the incoming player takes one touch to pass back along the ground.
3. Individual competitive race
4. Relay competitive race

By Arthur Bell

Two Goal Shooting Drill

By Arthur Bell –

Setup:
An area 40 x 30 yards.
Goals x 2.
Goalkeepers x 2.
Outfield players x 5 – 8.
Supply of balls.

Execution:
Player A passes into the Player B and makes a supporting run.
Player B sets the Player A up for a shot at goal.
Player A must react and look for any rebounds.

Player B receives a 2nd pass from the coach and switches the play out to the Player C.

Player C dribbles to the end line to cut back to Player B.
Player B makes a run towards the opposite goal and attempts to score from the cross.

Player A takes the place of Player B.
Player B takes the place of Player C.
Player C joins the back of the line and waits to become the starting player.

Variation:
Player A plays a pass to Player C.
Player C returns the pass.
The sequence then continues as the previously.

By Arthur Bell

Combination Play Before Shooting

By Arthur Bell –

Setup:
8 – 12 players + Goalkeeper.

Execution:
Player 1 plays long through ball to player 2.
Player 2 lays off to player 3 who receives and dribbles through to shoot.
Players move on one level.
Player 1 moves to replace player 3. Player 3 moves to replace player 2.
Player 2 collects the ball and returns to the start.
This is repeated on alternate sides.

Variations:
1. Player 1 plays long through ball to player 2.
Player 2 lays off to player 3 who sits and plays through for player 4. Player 4 goes through to shoot.
Players move on one level.
Player 1 moves to replace player 4. Player 4 moves to replace player 2.
Player 2 collects the ball and returns to the start.
This is repeated on alternate sides.

2. Player 1 plays long through ball to player 2.
Player 2 lays off to player 3 who goes across the face of player 2. Player 3 goes through to shoot.
Players move on one level.
Player 1 moves to replace player 4. Player 4 moves to replace player 3. Player 3 moves to replace player 2.
Player 2 collects the ball and returns to the start.
This is repeated on alternate sides.

3. Player 1 plays long through ball to player 2.
Player 2 lays off to player 3 who sits and plays through for player 4. Player 4 spins and goes through to shoot.
Players move on one level.
Player 1 moves to replace player 3. Player 3 moves to replace player 4.
Player 4 collects the ball and returns to the start.
This is repeated on alternate sides.

By Arthur Bell