U15 - U18
Positional play
Download the practice card
Technical warm up - Area: 60 x 40. 7 v 7 with three floating yellow players who play with both teams for the warm up. Each team has a soccer ball..
Players in the team of seven are placed in a position they play on the field. Players positioned at point A would be center backs and point B center forwards. The floating players would be midfield players. This will build familiarity between the players.
1. Both teams pass their ball around the playing area.
2. The floating players can play in with either team.
3. You are looking for players to gain confidence and work on body shape and the first touch before they move to phase two of the practice.
Variation: Limit the yellow players to two touches.
Coaching points:
Communication
Quality passing
Body shape
Area: 60 x 40. 7 v 7 with one ball. The three floating yellow players who play with the team in possession.
Players in the team of seven are placed in a position they play on the field. Players positioned at point A would be center backs and point B center forwards. The floating players would be midfield players. This will build familiarity between the players.
1. Red team passes the ball around using the floating yellow players. They move to an outside position to make the playing area bigger. Keeping possession of the ball will build confidence.
2. When the ball is lost and the dark team gain possession there must be a quick reaction from reds to defend. Players move in from the end lines to close down space.
3. The dark players quickly spread to the outside to provide options for possession.
4. Rotate the players if need be.
Variation: Limit the yellow players to two touches.
Coaching points:
Communication
Keep possession
Body shape
Defenders close down quickly
When possession is won make the field bigger by spreading out
Area – Play equal sided game on a field suitable for the amount of players you have.
1. Put the players in positions they play on the field.
2. You can play with floaters or not.
3. Once a player scores, they join the other team.
5. How will the team react with less players?
6. You can limit the amount of touches.
Coaching points:
Good possession and positional play.
Always make sure there are triangles on the field. Support is offered ahead of the ball, to the side or the player can drop the ball back.
The player receiving the ball has the thought “Can I play the ball forward?”
Communication and movement. If a player moves out of position then cover is offered from a team mate.
