Gafferbook
Possession ยท U11 to adult

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.

U11 to adultAges
9 to 15 (three teams)Players
30 x 30 mArea
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 teams of 3 to 5 in different colours.
  • Two teams start in possession (e.g. 8v4).

Equipment: Cones, three colours of bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Two teams combine to keep the ball against the third.
  2. If a defender wins it, the team that lost it becomes the defending team.
  3. Count passes; 10 in a row scores a point.

Coaching points

  • Spread out: find the space between defenders.
  • Switch the play away from pressure.
  • Defenders: press together, cut the passing lanes.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Bigger area
  • Unlimited touches

Make it harder

  • Two-touch
  • Passes must alternate between the two attacking teams

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

Questions about this drill?

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More possession drills

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)

Two teams keep the ball and try to play it from a target player at one end to the target at the other. Possession with a purpose: keep it, then go forward when it's on.

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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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’