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Small-Sided Games

Directional Possession Match: Target Zone Bonus

Combine possession with a direction

Small-Sided Games
Possession
Team Shape

Directional Possession Match: Target Zone Bonus 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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Small-Sided Games
Possession
Team Shape
Small-Sided Game
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Playing Through The Thirds
Positioning
Combination Play

Duration

20 min

Players

10-18

Pitch size

45 x 35 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Directional Possession Match: Target Zone BonusS12345 x 35 yards

Directional Possession Match: Target Zone Bonus — Finishing set-up — serve, receive, shoot · 45 x 35 yards

Step 1 of 4Six passes unlocks the opponent's goal.

  1. 1. Six passes unlocks the opponent's goal.
  2. 2. The neutral always plays for the team in possession.
  3. 3. Five minute games.
  4. 4. Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
  • Cones mark the area
  • Mini goal
  • S = server
  • Ball
  • Dotted arrow = rotation between repetitions
  • Shooter becomes the next server
  • Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

  • -Combine possession with a direction
  • -Progress with purpose
  • -Defend in a compact block

Setup

  1. 1Mini goals at each end and a halfway line marked.
  2. 2Two teams with one neutral player.
  3. 3Balls on both sidelines.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Six passes unlocks the opponent's goal.
  2. 2The neutral always plays for the team in possession.
  3. 3Five minute games.
  4. 4Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.

Coaching points

  • -Keep the ball until the six passes are done, then attack
  • -Use the neutral to escape pressure
  • -Attack quickly once unlocked
  • -Find the pocket on the back foot of the defender
  • -Support the receiver quickly on both sides

Common mistakes

  • -Rushing forward before unlocking
  • -Neutral hiding behind defenders
  • -Losing shape while counting passes

Where this drill fits

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