A possession rondo with a sting: win the ball as a defender and you score straight away into any of the small goals.
Mid (U9 to U13)Older (U14 to U18)Passing & receivingPossessionDefendingSmall-sided games
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In play
The setup
Step by step
1
Keep it moving, one or two touches, and always show an angle so the player on the ball has two options.
2
The defenders work as a pair, press together and shut the passing lane rather than diving in.
3
Win it and score straight away into any of the small goals.
4
Lose it and counter-press immediately, win it back before they can score. Defenders swap with two outside players after they score.
Age group
Mid (U9 to U13), Older (U14 to U18)
Duration
10-15 mins, in short sharp rounds
Players
6+ - four or more keeping possession against two or more defenders (4v2, 5v2, 6v3)
Area
12 x 12 yards (scale to suit the numbers)
Equipment
Cones to mark the grid, four small goals (one per side), a ball, and bibs to tell the outside players from the defenders.
FA Four Corners: what this develops
Technical / TacticalPsychologicalPhysicalSocial
Objective
Keep possession under pressure with quick passing and movement, and turn the moment you win the ball back into an instant attack.
Set up
A square grid with a small goal on each side, facing in. The outside players keep possession; the defenders press in the middle. When the defenders win it they score as fast as they can into any goal, and the outside players try to win it straight back. After the defenders score, they swap with two of the outside players so everyone gets a turn defending.
Coaching points
Sharp passing and receiving under pressure.
Move to open a passing angle and keep the ball.
Defend as a pair and treat winning the ball as the trigger to attack.
Progressions
Limit the outside players to two touches, then one.
Change the overload (5v2, 6v3) or the grid size to make it easier or harder.
Add a third defender or a second ball to raise the challenge.
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