Possession

Keep Away With Neutrals

Use the overload to keep the ball

Possession

Passing

Small-Sided Games

Keep Away With Neutrals is a 18-minute possession drill for 8-16 players, suitable for Under 9 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

Passing

Small-Sided Games

Skill Practice

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Minimal Equipment

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Duration

18 min

Players

8-16

Pitch size

35 x 25 yards

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Keep Away With Neutrals — Marked area · 35 x 25 yards

Step 1 of 3Neutrals always play with the team in possession.

1. Neutrals always play with the team in possession.
2. Ten consecutive passes scores a point.
3. Rounds of three minutes.

Cones mark the area
Dashed lines = zones / thirds
Ball
Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

-Use the overload to keep the ball
-Support the ball carrier fast
-Recognise when to switch

Setup

1A 35 x 25 area with two neutral players.
2Two teams in bibs, neutrals in a third colour.
3Balls stored on both sides.

Coaching instructions

1Neutrals always play with the team in possession.
2Ten consecutive passes scores a point.
3Rounds of three minutes.

Coaching points

-Find the neutral early to keep the ball moving
-Angle of support before the ball arrives
-Change the point of attack to relieve pressure

Common mistakes

-Neutral standing still
-Passing to feet with no angle
-Trying to force forward every pass

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Age groups

Under 9

Under 10

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

Progressions

+Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
+Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
+Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
+Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

-Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
-Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
-Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
-Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

-Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
-Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
-Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
-Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
-Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
-Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
-Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
-Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch