Transition Target Player Possession

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 40 x 32 yards area.
2. 2Mark a second target area at the opposite end so the practice can flip direction instantly.
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. 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.

Progressions

• +Cut the counter window to four seconds
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Freeze the play for two seconds after each turnover to reset shape
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Coach can serve a second ball to force an instant re-transition
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Hitting the target with no support
• -Only passing sideways and backwards
• -Stopping to appeal instead of reacting to the turnover