Overload Four Zone Keep Ball

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. 2Split the group so the attacking side always has one spare player, and park the spare bibs on the halfway cone.
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 spare player joins whichever side has the ball, so the attack always works with a plus-one.
5. 5A goal or completed end action counts double if the spare player touched the ball in the build-up.

Progressions

• +Remove the overload for the last two rounds
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Give the attack two spare players
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Rotate the spare player every 90 seconds
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Everybody in the ball zone
• -Forcing the zone change too early
• -Spare player standing still instead of offering an angle