Gafferbook
Possession ยท U9 to adult

Find the target, keep it

A target player stands at each end. Keep the ball and play into your target for a point, then the target plays back in and you go the other way. Builds the habit of playing forward and supporting the ball.

U9 to adultAges
8 to 10Players
30 x 20 mArea
12 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

  • 3v3 in the middle, a target player at each end for both teams.
  • Targets have two touches.

Equipment: Cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Pass into the target = 1 point; target plays back in and you attack the other target.
  2. If the passer then gets the ball back from the target and plays the next pass forward, bonus point.
  3. Swap targets every 3 minutes.

Coaching points

  • Look forward first.
  • Support the target: get close and show for the lay-off.
  • Defenders: block the pass to the target.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Targets free touch

Make it harder

  • Targets one touch

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

Questions about this drill?

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More possession drills

Possession with neutrals (4v4+2)

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End-to-end possession (target players)

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Three-team possession

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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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