Corner Keep Ball

Objective

• -Use width and depth in possession
• -Switch the point of attack
• -Hold the ball under pressure

Setup

1. 1Mark a 24 x 24 yard square.
2. 2Place one cone marker in each corner as a target zone.
3. 3Split players into two teams and give bibs to one team.
4. 4Start with four players from each team inside the square and the rest as feed players on the side.

How to play

1. 1Play keep ball and score by playing to a teammate who checks into any corner zone.
2. 2The receiver can take one touch to control, then play back into the square.
3. 3If the ball goes out, the coach serves a new ball to the team that lost it.
4. 4Rotate side players in every two minutes.
5. 5Ask players to use the corners to stretch the opposition and then play inside.

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

• -Hiding in the middle
• -Long hopeful passes
• -Slow reactions after a turnover