Possession

Continuous Four Zone Keep Ball

Keep possession while moving the ball between zones

Possession
Team Shape
Passing

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
Repetition

Age

Under 10 to Adults

Duration

20 min

Players

8-18

Area / pitch size

34 x 30 yards

Difficulty

Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones, Bibs

Coaching focus

Keep possession while moving the ball between zones

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 34 x 30 yards area.
  2. 2Load a ball at each starting station so the next rep can begin immediately.
  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. 4As soon as one sequence ends, the next server plays in without waiting.
  5. 5Run 4-minute blocks and count total completed sequences as a squad score.

Coaching points

  • -Move the ball to move the defence
  • -Occupy all four zones
  • -Change zone when the press arrives
  • -Reset fast — the value is in the volume of good reps

Progressions

  • +Add a second ball into the rotation
  • +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

  • -Pause 15 seconds between reps to reset positions
  • -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

  • -Split into two competing halves and compare block totals
  • -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

  • -Everybody in the ball zone
  • -Forcing the zone change too early
  • -Long queues while balls are collected

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Keep possession while moving the ball between zones

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