Find the Exit

Objective

• -Escape pressure after winning the ball
• -Support the first receiver
• -Play through the nearest exit quickly

Setup

1. 1Mark a rectangle with four cone gates, one on each side.
2. 2Split players into two teams and place one team inside the area with the other around the edges.
3. 3Give the inside team a ball to start.
4. 4Use bibs if needed to separate the teams.

How to play

1. 1The inside team keeps the ball under pressure from the outside team.
2. 2If the inside team wins or keeps possession, they must pass through any gate to escape.
3. 3The receiving player outside the box then dribbles or passes back into play.
4. 4If the outside team wins it, they try to keep the ball for three passes.
5. 5Restart quickly after every turnover.

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 behind defenders
• -Forcing long passes
• -Poor body shape to receive