Underload 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 30 x 26 yards area.
2. 2Add one extra defender to the working area and mark their start position with a flat 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 attacking group starts a player short, so every entry pass has to be sharp.
5. 5Defenders score a point for every clean turnover; attackers need three clean end actions to win the round.

Progressions

• +Add a second extra defender
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Even the numbers up again
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Attackers get one 'free pass' per round they can call
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Everybody in the ball zone
• -Forcing the zone change too early
• -Trying to beat two players instead of releasing early