10x10 YARD GRIDS.

PLAYERS IN PAIRS. ONE BALL PER PAIR. (FIG1)

Starting Position: Wide stance (about shoulder width apart).

Weight Forward
Arms out for balance and knees bent.

KEY FACTORS
1. LOOK UP
2. DECISION
3. PLANT NON-KICKING FOOT AT SIDE OF THE BALL
4. BEND KNEES
5. ARMS OUT
6. EYES ON THE BALL AT POINT OF IMPACT
7. MAKE CONTACT WITH THE INSIDE OF YOUR FOOT
8. CONTACT WITH THE CENTRE OF THE BALL
9. KICKING FOOT TO FOLLOW THROUGH TOWARDS PARTNER

FIG2. X PASSES TO THE CORNER AND O RUNS ACROSS THE LINE TO

RECEIVE.
O WILL THEN PASS DIAGONAL FOR X TO RUN AND RECEIVE, ETC.
10X20 YARD GRIDS.

Start Position:
FIG 4. X plays to O and then makes a supporting run forward to receive from O.
FIG 5. O then supports X and receive off X. X joins the back of the line.
FIG 6. O starts the passing sequence again up the other end.

KEY FACTORS
AS PREVIOUS SESSION PLUS:
1. TIMING OF RUNS
2. ANGLE & DISTANCE OF SUPPORT
3. DECISION (turn or pass back? This practise encourages the players to
pass)
10x20 YARD GRIDS

Starting Position:
FIG 7. X1 receives pass from O1 with an open body position and passes to X2.
He then joins the back of his group.
FIG 8. O1 supports X2 with an open body position and receives for X2, etc.

KEY FACTORS
AS PREVIOUS PLUS:
3. DECISION (now player is encouraged to play the ball forward).
10x10 YARD GRIDS

KEY FACTORS
1. ANGLES & DISTANCE OF SUPPORT
2. COMMUNICATION
3. DON’T GET DRAWN TOWARDS BALL (think about the shape of your
team, width and length).
4. TIMING OF PASS (Draw defender towards the ball before releasing
pass).
5. DECISION (who to pass to, when to pass 1st time?).
6. TECHNIQUE OF THE PASS
7. DISGUISE
 FIG10
PROGRESSION 2.
4v2
20x20 YARD GRIDS

KEY FACTORS
AS WITH 3v1 PLUS
8. PLAY A PENETRATING PASS WHEN POSSIBLE BY PASSING
THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE TWO DEFENDERS.
9. BE PATIENT & PLAY AROUND WHEN GAP CLOSES.
FIG 11
 FIG 6 FIG 6
LONG PASSING & SUPPORT
40x10 YARD GRIDS. IN GROUPS OF FOUR.

LOW DRIVEN PASS:

O1 sets X1 who strikes the ball to X2. X2 plays to O2 and so on.

KEY FACTORS
1. ANGLES OF APPROACH
2. LOOK UP
3. DECISION
4. BODY POSITION (arms out)
5. POSITION OF PLANTED FOOT
6. STRIKE WITH LACES
7. STRIKE THROUGH MIDDLE OF THE BALL
8. KEEP THE HEAD DOWN
9. FOLLOW THROUGH IN STRAIGHT LINE

LOW DRIVEN PASS

Same Organisation
A CHANGE TO KEY FACTORS 7 & 8 APPLY
KEY FACTORS
7. STRIKE UNDER THE BALL
8. LIFT HEAD AT IMPACT
THE SWERVED PASS:
Same Organisation
A CHANGE TO KEY FACTORS 1,6,7 & 9 APPLY.
KEY FACTORS
1. ANGLE OF APPROACH (this may now be more of an acute angle)
6. STRIKE WITH INSIDE / OUTSIDE OF FOOT (if you strike with the
outside of the foot this will also have an effect on the player’s body
position).
7. STRIKE ON THE OUTER OF THE BALL
9. FOLLOW THROUGH WILL ALSO CHANGE
LONG PASSING & SUPPORT IN A 4v4

40X40 YARD GRIDS.

Start position:
F1 & F2 feed Xs at top & T1 & T2 feed Os down the bottom.

Object of the game is to score by playing the ball to F’s & T’s.
X’s score by passing to T’s (who then feed O’s) & O’s score by passing to F’s.

KEY FACTORS
1. CREATE SPACE (width & Length).
2. COMMUNICATION
3. BODY POSITION
4. DECISIONS (pass & score or pass to supporting player).
5. SUPPORT – ANGLES & DISTANCE, AHEAD & BEHIND.
6. RUNS OFF THE BALL – OVERLAPS, CROSS OVERS, DIAGIONALS
7. TECHNIQUE
 RUNNING WITH THE BALL
50X10 YARD GRIDS.

Start Position: Players run and play the ball to the

front player of the other group and join the back of
the group. FIG1

KEY FACTORS
1. BIG 1ST TOUCH
2. AFTER EACH TOUCH LIFT HEAD UP
3. PLAY BALL WITH LACES
4. RUN IN STRAIGHT LINE
5. AS LEAST MANY TOUCHES AS POSSIBLE

PROGRESSION

50X20 YARD GRIDS

Start Position: 5 Attackers 2 Defenders (FIG2)

KEY FACTORS
1. ATTITUDE
2. ANGLES & DISTANCE OF SUPPORT
3. BODY POSITION
4. COMMUNICATION
5. TECHNIQUE
6. RUN DIRECTLY AT THE DEFENDER
 DRIBBLING
10X20 YARD GRIDS
Start Position: Players approach each other feint &
dribble round to the other side of the grid.

Three Dribbles:
Mathews Scissors Double Touch

KEY FACTORS
1. STEADY APPROACH
2. BALL WITHIN TOUCHING DISTANCE
3. FEINT OUT OF DEFENDERS REACH
4. ACCELERATE AWAY

DRIBBLING 1v1
10X20 YARD GRIDS

Start Position: (FIG2) in groups of 4. X1 feeds the ball to X2 who tries

to reach the end of the grid to score. Conditioned O1 can not move
until X2 has had his first touch.

KEY FACTORS
1. CREATE SPACE (as an individual & when 2v2 for your team
2. COMMUNICATION
FIG2
3. BODY POSITION
4. ATTITUDE
5. TECHNIQUE
DRIBBLING 2v2
20X20 YARD GRID

Start Position: In groups 6. O1 feeds the ball to X’s. D defends. Conditioned O’s
can not move until X2 has had first touch.

KEY FACTORS
6. DECISION (DRIBBLE OR PASS)
7. RUNS OFF THE BALL ( OVERLAPS, CROSS OVERS &
DIAGONALS)
DRIBBLING 3v3
30X30 YARD GRIDS.

Start Position:
The same key factors apply for 3v3.
X3 starts play and then joins in.
 HEADING
10X10 YARD GRIDS.

Start Position: Players in pairs, one ball per pair. Player 1 throws the ball under
arm for player 2 to head back to player 1.

KEY FACTORS
1. GET IN LINE
2. EYES ON BALL
3. BODY POSITION
4. CONTACT WITH FOREHEAD
5. THRUST HEAD THROUGH BALL

ATTACKING HEADERS
KEY FACTORS
6. CONTACT TOP HALF OF THE BALL (directing the ball down)
 DEFENDING HEADERS:
20X10 YARD GRIDS.

Start position: Players in groups of three. One ball per group. Play 1 throws the
ball under arm for player 2 to head ball over player 1 to player 3 who controls
the ball ( without using his hands) and passes to player 1. Player 1 then feeds
player 3 etc.

KEY FACTORS
7. CONTACT UNDER THE BALL (directing the ball high and far)
 HEADING
10X10 YARD GRIDS.

PROGRESSION FOR ATTACKING AND DEFENDING HEADERS

Start Position: X1 plays as a passive player to allow X2 to head the ball back to
the server X3.

KEY FACTORS
1. ARMS LENGTH
2. START IN A POSITION TO SEE THE BALL
3. USE YOUR ARMS FOR STRENGTH

HEADING GAMES
10X10 YARD GRIDS.

Start Position: Players can be goal

Keepers and also attacking outfield
Players.

You can also play 1v1 or 2v2 or 3v3

A goal is scored from a throw
And 2 goals scored from attacking the
Ball direct from another header.
 SHOOTING
40X15 YARD GRIDS WITH 8 YARD GOALS IN THE MIDDLE.
IN GROUPS OF FIVE, SEVERAL BALLS PER GROUP.

Start Position: Players X1 plays the ball out of his/ her feet and shoots for goal.
The goalkeeper attempts to save and then turns to save from O1 etc.

KEY FACTORS
FOR LOW DRIVEN & SWERVED SHOT
1. ANGLE OF APPROACH
2. DECISION
3. TECHNIQUE
4. STRIKE BALL IN THE MIDDLE OR
OR INSDIE / OUTSIDE OFF THE BALL
5. FOLLOW THROUGH
6. AIM FOR THE FAR POST

SOME OF THE ABOVE KEY FACTORS

APPLY WITH DIFFERENT SERVES
FOR EXAMPLE:

FIG 2. BALL MOVING TOWARDS STRIKER

FIG 3. BALL MOVING AWAY FROM STRIKER
 SHOOTING
BALLS MOVING IN THE AIR

Start Position: Players X1 serves for X2 to

strike after one bounce.

KEY FACTORS
7. BODY POSITION CHIN DOWN
8. POINT TOE

BACK TO GOAL, BALL PLAYED OVER

STRIKERS HEAD.
9. TO STRIKE WITH THE LEFT, TURN
TO THE RIGHT & VICE VERSA

FROM THE SIDE

10. HIGH KNEE, MAKE CONTACT

THROUGH THE MIDDLE
11. REBOUNDS

WHEN CLEAR OF THE DEFENCE

Three stations one ball per group.
One GK. On the command of the coach,
the first player sets off to score.
Progression might be to add a defender.
One ball per player.

KEY FACTORS
1. BIG 1ST TOUCH
2. LOOK UP
3. DECISION (shoot with power, chip etc)
4. TECHNIQUE
5. REBOUNDS
6. CUT ACROSS DEFENDERS PATH
 FIRST TIME FINISHING INSIDE THE PENALTY AREA

Start Position: this practice can be flexible with regard to numbers i.e. 2v2, 3v3
or three teams of 2v2v2 all with a goalkeeper. Four or Five servers (S1, S2, S3,
S4) who on command of the coach serve the ball to the attacking team.

KEY FACTORS

1. ATTITUDE TO SHOOT
2. COMMUNICATION
3. DECISION
4. TECHNIQUE
5. TECHNIQUE
6. REBOUNDS
7. SUPPORT – ANGLES & DISTANCE
 DEFENDING
10X10 YARD GRIDS.
1v1 DEFENDING (FIG1)

Start Position: X1 plays ball to O1 and then becomes the defender

KEY FACTORS
1. APPROACH FAST
2. ARC YOUR RUN
3. SLOW DOWN ON ATTACKERS FIRST TOUCH
4. LOW BODY POSITION / SIDE ON
5. THREATENING / PINCH WITH FRONT FOOT
6. BE PATIENT
7. BE STRONG & COMPETITIVE

PROGRESSION 2.10X20 YARD GRIDS

2v2 DEFENDING (FIG2)
start position: One of the defenders starts the
play off be giving the ball away to the
opposition (D1)

KEY FACTORS
AS PREVOUS PLUS
1. DEFENDER 1 – RECOVERY RUN
2. PRESSURE (DEFENDER 2)
3. COMMUNICATION (DEFENDER 1)SHOW INSDIE
ATTACKER 2 PLAYS BALL ACROSS TO ATTACKER 1 (FIG3)
4. DEFENDER 1 TO PUT PRESSURE ON
5. DEFENDERS 2 TO DROP OFF INTO A GOOD SUPPORTING
POSITION. DEFENDERS NOW WORKING TO COVER EACH
OTHER,

ATTACKER 1 DROPS OFF & RECEIVES THE BALL (FIG4)

6. DEFENDER 2 TO PRESSURISE ATTACKER 1.
7. DEFENDER 1 STAYS IN GOOD SUPPORTING POSITION.
 GOALKEEPING
Start Position: There are many ways to organise but a common way is to offset
goals.
FIG 1. In pairs one ball between two.

GOALKEEPING BODY / START POSITION

FEET – shoulder width apart.
ARMS & HANDS – Outside the line of the body, palms showing towards the
ball.
HEAD – Steady & tilted forward, this will assist in bringing the body weight on
to the soles of the feet.

HANDLING
PICKING THE BALL UPOFF THE GROUND
STOOP – Move the body into line with the ball & bring the feet close enough so
the ball cannot travel through them. Place hands behind the ball, fingers spread.
Cup the ball into the chest. Eyes firmly fixed on the ball.
KNEELING K-POSITION – If moving to the right to get in line, the left knee
should be lowered, the knee should be close enough to stop the ball passing
through the knee and the heel of the heel of the other foot. The lower half of the
ball should now be turned side on, with the top half still square to the ball. Eyes
firmly fixed on the ball.

WAIST & CHEST HEIGHTS SHOTS

Feet shoulder width apart, body weight forward. Palms of the hands facing
forwards to cup the ball. Eyes firmly fixed on the ball.
 SMALL SIDED GAME

All small sided games (S.S.G) are organised with the following:
60x40 yard pitch, with two goals. 6 players on each team, goalkeepers 1,
defenders 2, midfield 1, attackers 2. This formation can be changed but seemed
to be good for all topics. Start position may very, this id due to the topic which is
being delivered. The point of the start position is to get directly to your topic,
which should enable you to coach your topic and give player’s roles and a basic
understanding of them. Once you have done this you can then allow the session
to progress in ‘FREE PLAY’. This allows both teams to attack and defend which
will allow you to assess and coach when you feel you have a valid point to make.
It is not recommended to direct the opposing team members to help your session
work. If problems occur you need to solve them!!

The following S.S.G. topics can use the same start position used in passing &
support.

CREATING & EXPLOITING SPACE

WHEN TO PASS TO FEET &

WHEN TO PASS TO SPACE

FOREWARD RUNS AHEAD OF THE BALL

FOREWARD PASSING & SUPPORT

 PASSING & SUPPORT S.S.G. 6v6
Start Position: FIG1. Opposing midfield player (O4) shoots for goal; goalkeeper
saves and serves to the full back (X2)

Full back plays to 1st forward and receives back. 1st forward spins and creates
the space the 2nd forward to run into.

KEY FACTORS
1. CREATE SPACE (X1 & X2 WIDTH)
2. COMMUNICATION (X2 & X3)
3. BODY POSITION (OPEN X2 & X3)
4. DECISION
5. SUPPORT – ANGLES & DISTANCE
6. TIMING – RUN / PASS
7. TECHNIQUE OF PASS
8. END PRODUCT
 SWITCHING PLAY S.S.G. 6v6
Start Position: FIG1. FULL BACK SWITCHES DIRECT TO OTHER FULL
BACK

Here are three ways of switching play. There are of course many ways to switch
the point of attack which you may use.

KEY FACTORS
1. CREATE SPACE (X2 WIDTH)
2. COMMUNICATION (X2 & X3)
3. BODY POSITION (OPEN X2 & X3)
4. DECISION
5. SUPPORT – AHEAD / BEHIND, ANGLES & DISTANCE
6. TIMING – RUN / PASS
7. TECHNIQUE OF PASS
8. END PRODUCT

FIG3. FULL BACK PLAYS INTO 1ST FORWARD

WHO THEN SWITCHES TO PLAY TO THE
OTHER
SIDE OF PITCH.

FIG2. FULL
BACK PASSES
BACK TO FULL
BACK, WHO
CAN NOW
SWITCH TO
WIDE FORWARD
 RUNNING WITH THE BALL S.S.G. 6v6
Start Position: OPPOSING MIFIELD PLAYER O3 SHOOTS FOR GOAL,
GOALKEEPER SAVES & SERVES TO FULL BACK X2.

A good way to run with the ball is to switch play first and exploit space on the
other side of the pitch.

KEY FACTORS

1. CREATE SPACE (as an individual)

2. COMMUNICATION
3. BODY POSITIION
4. ATTITUDE
5. CREATE SPACE AS A TEAM. CAN THE MIFIELD & FORWARD
PLAYERS TAKE THE OPPOSITION PLAYERS AWAY FROM THE
SPACE.
6. ANGLES & DISTANCE OF SUPPORT. (should the player on the ball
require it).
7. TECHNIQUE
 DEFENDING S.S.G. 6v6
Start Position: MIDFIELD PLAYER PASSES TO WIDE PLAYER PASS
INTERCEPTED BY WIDE DEFENDER.

KEY FACTORS

1. PRESSURE (NEAREST FORWARD)

2. BODY POSITION
3. SUPPORT (STOP THE BALL TRAVELLING THROUGH TO
OPPOSING FORWARDS)
4. COMMUNICATION
5. BE COMPACT
 TURNING S.S.G. 6v6

Start Position: X3 PASSES TO X5 WHO’S 1ST TOUCH TAKES HIM/HER

DOWN THE LINE.
O DEFENDER BLOCKS THE CROSS AND X5 TURNS.

CONDITION THE FORWARDS 1ST TOUCH FORWARD.

KEY FACTORS

1. CREATE SPACE AS AN INDIVIDUAL AS A TEAM

2. COMMUNICATION
3. DECISION
4. TECHNIQUE
5. END PRODUCT
 DRIBBLING S.S.G. 6v6

Start Position: X3 PLAYS THE BALL TO X5 WHO HAS DROPPED OFF

DOWN THE LINE.
X4 SPINS TO CREATE MORE SPACE FOR X5 TO ATTACK.

KEY FACTORS

1. CREATE SPACE AS AN INDIVIDUAL & AS A TEAM

2. COMMUNICATION
3. BODY POSITION
4. DECISION
5. ATTITUDE
6. TECHNIQUE
7. END PRODUCT (SHOT, CROSS ETC)