Possession

Rotation Target Player Possession

Keep the ball with a forward purpose

Possession
Passing
Attacking

Keep the ball with a forward purpose. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.

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Possession
Passing
Attacking
Small-Sided Game
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Rotation

Age

Under 9 to Adults

Duration

20 min

Players

8-18

Area / pitch size

34 x 26 yards

Difficulty

Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones, Bibs

Coaching focus

Keep the ball with a forward purpose

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Objective

  • -Keep the ball with a forward purpose
  • -Play into a target player under pressure
  • -Support the target quickly after the pass

Setup

  1. 1A pitch with a target player in an end zone at each end in a 34 x 26 yards area.
  2. 2Number every station so players know exactly where they travel to next.
  3. 3Balls with the target players, two sets of bibs.

How to play

  1. 1Teams keep the ball and score by finding their target player.
  2. 2The target sets the ball back and the team must keep it.
  3. 3Targets rotate with outfield players every three minutes.
  4. 4Play starts at station one and the ball works round the numbers in order.
  5. 5Every player must complete each role once before the round is scored.

Coaching points

  • -Look forward before playing sideways
  • -Support the target on both sides
  • -Set the ball into space
  • -Follow your pass — the movement is part of the practice

Progressions

  • +Reverse the rotation direction on the coach's call
  • +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

  • -Hold roles for a full round before rotating
  • -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

  • -Rotate only the two hardest roles to give them extra reps
  • -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

  • -Hitting the target with no support
  • -Only passing sideways and backwards
  • -Staying in a favourite role and avoiding the harder one

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