Split Pitch Battle

Objective

• -Hold shape in and out of possession
• -Move between wide and central areas
• -Recover quickly on turnover

Setup

1. 1Divide the pitch into three equal horizontal bands with cones.
2. 2Split into two teams with bibs.
3. 3Players start spread across their bands, with no fixed positions for long.
4. 4Keep balls with the coach at the side.

How to play

1. 1Play a free game, but each team must have at least one player in each band when defending.
2. 2When attacking, teams can overload any band they choose, but they must recover shape quickly if they lose the ball.
3. 3A goal counts as normal into the mini goals or full-size goals, depending on what you have set up.
4. 4Restart quickly after a goal or when the ball goes out.
5. 5Encourage players to see when to stay in shape and when to break forward.

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

• -Everyone flooding one band
• -Forgetting to recover after an attack
• -Players hiding from the ball