Gafferbook
Possession ยท U12 to adult

Positional game 3v3+3

A 3v3 in the middle zone with three neutrals: one at each end and one in the middle. Teams keep the ball by playing end to end through the neutrals. A classic positional play exercise.

U12 to adultAges
9Players
30 x 20 m in three zonesArea
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

  • Three zones; a neutral on each end line and one inside the middle.
  • Two teams of three in the middle zone.

Equipment: Cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Team in possession plays with the neutrals to move the ball end to end.
  2. End to end = point.
  3. Neutrals two-touch; rotate them every three minutes.

Coaching points

  • Create triangles with the neutrals.
  • Receive between the lines of the opponents.
  • Change the point of attack quickly.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Neutrals have unlimited touches

Make it harder

  • Neutrals one-touch
  • Players two-touch

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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