Possession

Transition Four Zone Keep Ball

Keep possession while moving the ball between zones

Possession
Team Shape
Passing

Transition Four Zone Keep Ball is a 20-minute possession drill for 8-18 players, suitable for Under 10 to Adults at intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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

Duration

20 min

Players

8-18

Pitch size

38 x 34 yards

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Transition Four Zone Keep Ball1234C38 x 34 yards

Transition Four Zone Keep Ball — Four-corner square · 38 x 34 yards

Step 1 of 5The team in possession must complete three passes before changing zone.

  1. 1. The team in possession must complete three passes before changing zone.
  2. 2. A zone change scores one point.
  3. 3. Defenders press with limited numbers per zone.
  4. 4. Coach serves a loose ball into the middle and both teams react to win it.
  5. 5. On every turnover the winning team has six seconds to attack the opposite target.
  • Cones mark the area
  • Dashed lines = zones / thirds
  • Ball
  • Cones mark each station in the shape
  • C = coach / server
  • Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

  • -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 38 x 34 yards area.
  2. 2Mark a second target area at the opposite end so the practice can flip direction instantly.
  3. 3Balls with the coach, two sets of bibs.

Coaching instructions

  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. 4Coach serves a loose ball into the middle and both teams react to win it.
  5. 5On every turnover the winning team has six seconds to attack the opposite target.

Coaching points

  • -Move the ball to move the defence
  • -Occupy all four zones
  • -Change zone when the press arrives
  • -First reaction after the turnover decides the moment — forward or secure

Common mistakes

  • -Everybody in the ball zone
  • -Forcing the zone change too early
  • -Stopping to appeal instead of reacting to the turnover

Where this drill fits

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