Safe Side Break

Objective

• -Teach players to play away from pressure safely
• -Help the first receiver protect the ball
• -Build habit of opening out to the far side

Setup

1. 1Set a 24 x 20 yard rectangle with one marked safe side and one pressure side.
2. 2Use three build-up players against two defenders.
3. 3Place a cone gate on the safe side as the escape route.

How to play

1. 1Start each round with the ball on the pressure side.
2. 2The team must move the ball to the safe side through a short pass or a carry.
3. 3Defenders try to close the safe side quickly and win it back.
4. 4If the team breaks out, they keep possession for three passes.
5. 5Restart with the ball on the other side so both directions are worked.

Progressions

• +Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
• +Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
• +Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
• -Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
• -Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
• -Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
• -Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
• -Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
• -Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
• -Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
• -Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Receiving square on
• -Holding the ball too long
• -Not checking both shoulders