Gafferbook
Build-up play ยท U12 to adult

Long ball and the second ball

When the press is too strong, the keeper plays long to a target striker and midfielders compete for the second ball. Teaches a sensible alternative to playing short.

U12 to adultAges
8 to 14 plus a keeperPlayers
Two-thirds pitchArea
15 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Keeper and centre-backs; target striker and two midfielders further up.
  • Opposing centre-back and midfielders.

Equipment: Goal, cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Keeper kicks or a centre-back plays long to the target.
  2. Target flicks or heads on; midfielders attack the second ball.
  3. Team that wins the second ball attacks the goal at that end.

Coaching points

  • Target: get your body in front, aim the flick.
  • Midfielders: anticipate where it will drop.
  • Win it, then play quickly forward.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Target unchallenged

Make it harder

  • Two defenders on the target

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

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