Objective

Keep the ball under pressure and switch it from one side to the other: move to create space, use the two-touch outside players, and play backwards rather than forcing it.

Set up

A square grid. 2v2 in the middle, and each team has two team-mates stationed on opposite sides of the square (limited to two touches). To score, a team keeps possession and advances the ball from their team-mate on one side to their team-mate on the other. After a score the team switches its attacking direction (top-to-bottom becomes side-to-side) and the outside players swap with the inside players. 8 players, no goals. The outside players stay on their own side and work up and down it only, they do not come into the square. If one team keeps the ball and the other cannot win it back, transfer the ball to the other team after about a minute, so possession time stays even.

Coaching points

• Check away from the ball to create space, then show back into it to receive.
• If it is not on to go forward, play it backwards, do not force it into the defender.
• Use the outside players as a quick wall, they have two touches so play sharp.
• React fast the moment you win or lose the ball, transition is where you score or concede.
• Open your body to see both sides so you can switch the point of attack.

Progressions

• Outside players to one touch to make it quicker.
• Play 3v3 with one player on the sideline; the outside player can use both end lines to score.
• A goal only counts if the ball has reached both sides since the last score.