Gafferbook
Possession ยท U9 to adult

Keep-ball with overloads (5v2 to 5v5)

Start with a big overload so players taste success, then add defenders every few minutes until it's even. A simple progression that builds possession under growing pressure.

U9 to adultAges
7 to 12Players
20 x 20 mArea
12 to 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

  • Five attackers in a box, two defenders.
  • Spare defenders wait outside to join in.

Equipment: Cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Attackers keep the ball; count passes.
  2. Every three minutes, add a defender (5v2, 5v3, 5v4, 5v5).
  3. If defenders win it, they dribble out of the box and pass back to the coach.

Coaching points

  • Angles: always give the ball carrier two options.
  • First touch away from pressure.
  • As pressure grows, move the ball quicker.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Keep it at 5v2 longer

Make it harder

  • Two-touch from 5v3
  • Smaller box

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

Questions about this drill?

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Three-team possession

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10-pass game

Teams score a point for every 10 consecutive passes. The simplest possession game, and a brilliant way to teach spreading out and moving to receive.

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