Four Corner Keep Ball

Objective

• -Keep possession with purpose
• -Use space across the whole pitch
• -React quickly when possession changes

Setup

1. 1Mark a square pitch and place a cone in each corner.
2. 2Split players into two teams with bibs.
3. 3Start one team in possession, spread across the square.
4. 4Have spare balls ready with the coach for quick restarts.

How to play

1. 1Teams score one point for completing five passes, then one extra point if they can keep possession for three more passes.
2. 2When the ball goes out or is won, the other team takes over immediately.
3. 3Players should be encouraged to use the full square and support both short and long.
4. 4If a team completes a scoring sequence, the coach restarts with the same team attacking.
5. 5Keep the game flowing with quick balls and minimal stoppages.

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

• -All players following the ball
• -Slow passing tempo
• -Poor body shape to receive