Possession

Two-Touch 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
Two Touch

Age

Under 10 to Adults

Duration

18 min

Players

8-18

Area / pitch size

32 x 28 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 32 x 28 yards area.
  2. 2Place a marker at every receiving position so players know where to set the ball before it arrives.
  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. 4Ball enters from the coach and the first receiver is on two touches from that moment.
  5. 5Count completed sequences under the touch limit — best of three 3-minute rounds.

Coaching points

  • -Move the ball to move the defence
  • -Occupy all four zones
  • -Change zone when the press arrives
  • -First touch out of the feet and into the direction of the next pass

Progressions

  • +Drop the central players to one touch
  • +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

  • -Allow three touches while the picture is being learned
  • -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

  • -Two touches in your own half, free touches in the final third
  • -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

  • -Everybody in the ball zone
  • -Forcing the zone change too early
  • -Taking a settling touch that kills the tempo

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