Gafferbook
Possession ยท U10 to adult

Long thin pitch possession

Possession on a long, narrow pitch so teams must play through and around opponents lengthways. Teaches depth, third-man runs and playing forward.

U10 to adultAges
8 to 14Players
40 x 15 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

  • Long thin area; two teams.
  • End zones optional for scoring.

Equipment: Cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Keep the ball; a pass that travels into the far third scores.
  2. Restart from the end after a point.
  3. Defenders press as a team.

Coaching points

  • Depth: someone ahead, someone behind the ball.
  • Receive facing forward when you can.
  • Use the third player to get past a press.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Add a neutral

Make it harder

  • Two-touch
  • Score only by receiving in the end zone

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

Questions about this drill?

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Possession with neutrals (4v4+2)

Two teams of four play keep-ball with two neutral players who always help the team in possession, so it's always 6v4.

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End-to-end possession (target players)

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Three-team possession

Two teams keep the ball together against the third. The team that loses it becomes the defenders. Intense, constant transitions and lots of overloads.

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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.

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Possession to score through gates

Teams score by passing through a gate to a teammate on the other side. With gates everywhere, players learn to switch play and find the free option.

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Possession with wall (bounce) players

A 3v3 or 4v4 in the middle with bounce players on each side who play for whoever has the ball. Teaches using support players, quick combinations and switching.

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