• To Switch the Ball Away From Pressure
• To Maintain Width and Depth in Possession

1. Warm Up: 5 v 3 (+4 support) Keepaway

5 v 3 (+4 support) keep away. Goal for getting ball to wide support. Support player must play ball back in to a different player who uses his/her team to switch ball to different side of field. Ensure quick rotation of outside players to ensure it is a warm up!

Alternative Warm Up: 9 v 3 keepaway: Developing Width

Score a goal each time the ball is received by a player who has moved to the outside of the area, facing towards field. Defending team scores by making 3 consecutive passes.

Coaching Points:

• Open up body to turn away
• Communication
• Movement to open area
• Awareness of other players width and depth

2. 6 v 4 with field divided in thirds

Begin with numbers up and designated wide players to ensure success (e.g. 6 v 4). Ball can only be passed twice (or once to make it more challenging) in each third before it must be switched to a different zone. The team with fewer numbers plays without conditions. After a goal or a shot the GK plays back in to the team of 6 players who turn and attack in the opposite direction.

Variations:

• Even numbers (5 v 5) attacking only one end i.e. as in a regular game
• Limit touches

Note: Fields should be short but wide

Coaching Points:

• Awareness of opponents and teammates
• Movement of support players
• Keep ball moving away from pressure
  
   

3. 4 v 4 to Three Small Goals

Regular scrimmage except teams can score in any one of the three goals. Two GK’s protect three goals

Variation:

• Use two wide goals only and take out central goals
• Use support players instead of GK’s

Coaching Points:

• Look diagonally before attacking down channel
• Distance and angles of support
• Width and depth in possession