Small-Sided Games
Directional Possession Match: Restart Realism
Combine possession with a direction
Small-Sided Games
Possession
Team Shape
Premium
Directional Possession Match: Restart Realism is a 20-minute small-sided games drill for 10-18 players, suitable for Under 10 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs, mini goals. 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
Team Shape
Small-Sided Game
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Set Pieces
Game Realistic
Organisation
Duration
20 min
Players
10-18
Pitch size
45 x 35 yards
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Objectives
- -Combine possession with a direction
- -Progress with purpose
- -Defend in a compact block
Setup
- 1Mini goals at each end and a halfway line marked.
- 2Two teams with one neutral player.
- 3Balls on both sidelines.
Coaching instructions
- 1Six passes unlocks the opponent's goal.
- 2The neutral always plays for the team in possession.
- 3Five minute games.
- 4All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
Coaching points
- -Keep the ball until the six passes are done, then attack
- -Use the neutral to escape pressure
- -Attack quickly once unlocked
- -Shape up quickly on every restart
- -Talk to organise before the ball is live
Common mistakes
- -Rushing forward before unlocking
- -Neutral hiding behind defenders
- -Losing shape while counting passes