Possession

Combination Four Zone Keep Ball

Keep possession while moving the ball between zones

Possession
Team Shape
Passing
Premium

Keep possession while moving the ball between zones. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.

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Possession
Team Shape
Passing
Skill Practice
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Combination Play

Age

Under 10 to Adults

Duration

18 min

Players

8-18

Area / pitch size

36 x 32 yards

Difficulty

Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones, Bibs

Coaching focus

Keep possession while moving the ball between zones

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Objective

  • -Keep possession while moving the ball between zones
  • -Create numerical advantages in each zone
  • -Coach when to keep and when to progress

Setup

  1. 1A square split into four equal zones in a 36 x 32 yards area.
  2. 2Add a neutral bounce player on each side line inside a marked yard-wide channel.
  3. 3Balls with the coach, two sets of bibs.

How to play

  1. 1The team in possession must complete three passes before changing zone.
  2. 2A zone change scores one point.
  3. 3Defenders press with limited numbers per zone.
  4. 4The first pass must go into the bounce player before the practice opens up.
  5. 5A sequence only scores when three different players have touched the ball.

Coaching points

  • -Move the ball to move the defence
  • -Occupy all four zones
  • -Change zone when the press arrives
  • -Third player movement — the pass is set up by the run before it

Progressions

  • +Demand a one-touch set from the bounce player
  • +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

  • -Allow the bounce player unlimited touches
  • -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

  • -Bounce players can join the attack once per round
  • -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

  • -Everybody in the ball zone
  • -Forcing the zone change too early
  • -Two players combining over and over while the third stands still

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Build a full session around this drill

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