https://gafferbook.com/drills/1v1/1v1-back-to-goal/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-back-to-goal.jpg1v1 with your back to goal: football drillThe attacker receives with a defender tight behind them and must turn or hold up the ball and shoot. The striker's toughest 1v1, made into a repeatable game.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-back-to-goal-wide.mp4362026-11-09T11:35:12Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/1v1/1v1-channels/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-channels.jpg1v1 channels (beat your defender): football drillIn narrow channels, attackers try to dribble over the end line while a defender tries to stop them. Lots of 1v1 reps for both, side by side with the whole squad working.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-channels-wide.mp4382026-11-09T11:35:13Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/fitness/1v1-conditioning-duels/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-conditioning-duels.jpg1v1 conditioning duels: football drillIntense 30-second 1v1 games with 60 seconds' rest, repeated six times. Football-specific fitness where the effort comes from competition, not commands.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-conditioning-duels-wide.mp4332026-11-09T17:26:45Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/1v1/1v1-counter-halfway-to-goal/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-counter-halfway-to-goal.jpg1v1 counter from halfway: football drillAn attacker receives on halfway and races a defender to goal. Practises running with the ball at speed and finishing under pressure.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-counter-halfway-to-goal-wide.mp4332026-11-09T17:26:45Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/defending/1v1-defending-show-outside/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-defending-show-outside.jpg1v1 defending: show them outside: football drillThe defender passes to the attacker, closes them down and shows them towards the touchline, away from goal. Teaches the approach, the side-on stance and patience.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-defending-show-outside-wide.mp4392026-11-09T11:35:13Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/1v1/1v1-four-gates/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-four-gates.jpg1v1 to four gates: football drillA 1v1 with a gate in each corner: the attacker can score through any of them. With so many options, players learn to read the defender and change direction.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-four-gates-wide.mp4392026-11-09T11:45:14Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/1v1/1v1-from-a-pass-wide/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-from-a-pass-wide.jpgWide 1v1: beat the full-back and cross: football drillA winger receives in a wide channel and goes 1v1 against a full-back to get a cross or cut-back in for a striker. Game-realistic 1v1s with an end product.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-from-a-pass-wide-wide.mp4382026-11-09T11:45:14Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/1v1/1v1-from-different-angles/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-from-different-angles.jpg1v1 from different starting angles: football drillDefenders start from the side, behind or in front of the attacker in turn. Each angle teaches a different decision for both players.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-from-different-angles-wide.mp4332026-11-09T17:26:46Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/1v1/1v1-plus-bounce-player/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-plus-bounce-player.jpg1v1 plus a bounce player: football drillA 1v1 to goal where the attacker can use a bounce player on the side for a one-two. Teaches when to take a player on and when to combine.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-plus-bounce-player-wide.mp4382026-11-10T04:42:12Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/1v1/1v1-to-goal/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-to-goal.jpg1v1 to goal: football drillA defender passes to an attacker and steps out to defend; the attacker tries to beat them and score. Two queues keep it moving.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-to-goal-wide.mp4402026-11-09T11:55:15Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/1v1/1v1-to-two-small-goals/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-to-two-small-goals.jpg1v1 to two small goals: football drillThe attacker can score in either of two small goals on the end line; the defender must choose which to protect. Teaches attackers to switch and defenders to show one way.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-to-two-small-goals-wide.mp4292026-11-10T03:53:35Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/1v1/1v1-tournament/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-tournament.jpg1v1 tournament (up and down the pitches): football drillPlayers play 60-second 1v1 games on a row of mini pitches; winners move up, losers move down. Huge numbers of 1v1s and a fun competitive ladder.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-tournament-wide.mp4412026-11-09T11:55:16Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/1v1/1v1-with-recovering-defender/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-with-recovering-defender.jpg1v1 with a recovering defender: football drillThe attacker goes 1v1, but a second defender sprints back from halfway after two seconds. Teaches attackers to be decisive and defenders to delay until help arrives.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/1v1-with-recovering-defender-wide.mp4402026-11-10T04:42:12Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/shooting/2v1-attack-and-finish/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/2v1-attack-and-finish.jpg2v1 attack and finish: football drillTwo attackers take on one defender and try to score. Simple decisions: dribble if the defender doesn't commit, pass if they do, then finish.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/2v1-attack-and-finish-wide.mp4382026-11-10T04:42:13Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/defending/2v2-cover-and-balance/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/2v2-cover-and-balance.jpg2v2 cover and balance: football drillTwo defenders against two attackers. One presses the ball, the other covers behind at an angle, and they swap jobs every time the ball moves.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/2v2-cover-and-balance-wide.mp4362026-11-10T04:42:13Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/small-sided-games/2v2-four-goals/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/2v2-four-goals.jpg2v2 to four goals: football drillEach team can score in either of two small goals at the end it attacks. Players learn to switch the play to the open goal.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/2v2-four-goals-wide.mp4352026-11-10T04:42:14Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/fitness/2v2-sprint-duels-to-goal/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/2v2-sprint-duels-to-goal.jpg2v2 sprint duels to goal: football drillTwo pairs sprint from halfway when the coach plays the ball; a quick 2v2 to goal. Short, sharp efforts with plenty of rest, exactly like the game.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/2v2-sprint-duels-to-goal-wide.mp4402026-11-10T04:42:14Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/3-4-3-wide-triangle-rotation/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3-4-3-wide-triangle-rotation.jpg3-4-3 wide triangle rotation: football drillThe wide centre-back, wing-back and wide forward rotate positions to drag defenders and create a free runner. Teaches rotations without losing shape.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3-4-3-wide-triangle-rotation-wide.mp4362026-11-10T05:00:56Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/3-5-2-outside-centre-back-overlap/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3-5-2-outside-centre-back-overlap.jpg3-5-2 outside centre-back overlap: football drillThe wide centre-back carries forward and overlaps the wing-back, creating an overload on the flank. A powerful 3-5-2 pattern to break down a compact defence.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3-5-2-outside-centre-back-overlap-wide.mp4402026-11-10T05:00:56Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/pressing/3-5-2-press-wing-backs-jump/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3-5-2-press-wing-backs-jump.jpg3-5-2 press: wing-backs jump: football drillIn a 3-5-2 press, the wing-backs jump forward to press the opposition full-backs while the back three shift across. Teaches a high press without leaving gaps.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3-5-2-press-wing-backs-jump-wide.mp4352026-11-10T05:00:57Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/rondos/3-5-2-wing-back-rondo/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3-5-2-wing-back-rondo.jpgWing-back rondo for 3-5-2 and 3-4-3: football drillA 5v3 rondo in a central box with a wing-back in each wide channel. Teaches a back-three team to use the wing-backs to escape pressure and switch the play.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3-5-2-wing-back-rondo-wide.mp4412026-11-10T05:00:58Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/3-5-2-wing-back-switch/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3-5-2-wing-back-switch.jpg3-5-2 wing-back switch of play: football drillDraw the opposition to one side, then switch to the far wing-back arriving unmarked. The signature attack of a 3-5-2, practised as a pattern then as a 7v5 game.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3-5-2-wing-back-switch-wide.mp4422026-11-10T05:00:58Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/rondos/3v1-triangle-rondo/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3v1-triangle-rondo.jpg3v1 triangle rondo: football drillThree players stand on the corners of a triangle and keep the ball from one defender. The first rondo for young players: every pass has one safe option and one brave one.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3v1-triangle-rondo-wide.mp4422026-11-10T05:17:34Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/small-sided-games/3v3-end-zone/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3v3-end-zone.jpg3v3 end-zone game: football drillScore by dribbling the ball into the end zone and stopping it there. Rewards running with the ball and support play, and suits Future Fit 3v3 sessions.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3v3-end-zone-wide.mp4342026-11-10T05:17:35Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/small-sided-games/3v3-festival-game-no-keepers/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3v3-festival-game-no-keepers.jpg3v3 festival game (no keepers): football drillThe Future Fit 3v3 format for U7: no keepers, small goals, short games and rotating opponents. Maximum touches, maximum fun.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3v3-festival-game-no-keepers-wide.mp4392026-11-10T05:17:35Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/fitness/3v3-non-stop-game/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3v3-non-stop-game.jpg3v3 non-stop game: football drillThree teams of three; winners stay on, and the coach restarts with a new ball instantly whenever it leaves play. A busy, high-intensity game that builds fitness the fun way.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3v3-non-stop-game-wide.mp4322026-11-10T05:17:36Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/small-sided-games/3v3-pass-or-dribble-goals/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3v3-pass-or-dribble-goals.jpg3v3 pass or dribble goals: football drillA 3v3 where you can score in a mini goal, or by dribbling over the end line for double points. Players have to choose: pass, shoot or dribble.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3v3-pass-or-dribble-goals-wide.mp4312026-11-10T05:17:36Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/pressing/3v3-press-and-win/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3v3-press-and-win.jpg3v3 press and win (pressing in threes): football drillThree players keep the ball in their half; three pressers enter on the coach's pass and must win it within ten seconds. Teaches first presser, cover and balance in a small group.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/3v3-press-and-win-wide.mp4352026-11-10T05:33:46Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-2-3-1-double-pivot-switch/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-2-3-1-double-pivot-switch.jpg4-2-3-1 double pivot to the wingers: football drillThe two holding midfielders combine to switch the ball to the far winger, who attacks 1v1. Teaches the double pivot to move the ball quickly to the free side.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-2-3-1-double-pivot-switch-wide.mp4192026-11-10T05:33:47Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-2-3-1-number-10-between-lines/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-2-3-1-number-10-between-lines.jpg4-2-3-1: finding the number 10 between the lines: football drillA three-zone game where the ball must go from the back zone into the number 10 in the middle zone before it can go into the front. Teaches the double pivot to find the 10 and the 10 to turn.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-2-3-1-number-10-between-lines-wide.mp4442026-11-10T05:33:47Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/pressing/4-2-3-1-press-ten-on-six/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-2-3-1-press-ten-on-six.jpg4-2-3-1 press: the 10 on their 6: football drillIn a 4-2-3-1 press, the number 10 marks the opposition's holding midfielder while the striker presses the centre-backs. Takes away the opponent's most important build-up player.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-2-3-1-press-ten-on-six-wide.mp4342026-11-10T05:33:48Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-3-3-build-to-the-free-eight/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-build-to-the-free-eight.jpg4-3-3: build through the free eight: football drillA phase of play: the attacking team builds from its keeper against three pressers and looks for the eight who is free between the lines, then plays through the end gates. Puts the 4-3-3 shape under real pressure.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-build-to-the-free-eight-wide.mp4402026-11-10T05:33:48Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-3-3-byline-cut-back-arrivals/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-byline-cut-back-arrivals.jpg4-3-3: byline and cut-back to the arriving eight: football drillWinger gets to the byline and cuts the ball back to the penalty spot area, where an eight arrives late while the striker attacks the near post. The most reliable chance in football, rehearsed until it's automatic.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-byline-cut-back-arrivals-wide.mp4362026-11-10T05:51:49Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-3-3-eight-drops-winger-runs/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-eight-drops-winger-runs.jpg4-3-3: eight drops, winger runs in behind: football drillThe number 8 drops beside the six to receive; that drags their marker and opens space for the winger to run in behind. A rotation that creates a simple, repeatable way to attack.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-eight-drops-winger-runs-wide.mp4392026-11-10T05:51:50Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-3-3-full-back-overlap/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-full-back-overlap.jpg4-3-3 full-back overlap with the winger: football drillThe winger receives, drives inside and the full-back overlaps around the outside to cross. The core wide pattern of a 4-3-3, practised unopposed, then 2v1, then in a game.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-full-back-overlap-wide.mp4392026-11-10T05:51:50Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/rondos/4-3-3-midfield-triangle-rondo/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-midfield-triangle-rondo.jpg4-3-3 midfield triangle rondo (6v3): football drillFour players on the outside and two inside keep the ball from three defenders. The two inside players and the passer form the 4-3-3 midfield triangle, so it trains the exact angles your number 6 and 8s use in games.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-midfield-triangle-rondo-wide.mp4342026-11-10T05:51:51Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-3-3-striker-drops-ten-runs/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-striker-drops-ten-runs.jpg4-3-3: striker drops, midfielder runs beyond: football drillThe striker drops short to pull a centre-back out; an eight makes the run into the space left behind. A classic way to unlock a back line.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-striker-drops-ten-runs-wide.mp4422026-11-10T05:51:51Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-3-3-third-man-to-striker/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-third-man-to-striker.jpg4-3-3 third-man run to the striker: football drillCentre-back plays into the striker, who sets back to an 8 running forward, who slips the winger in behind. A third-man pattern that breaks lines in a 4-3-3.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-third-man-to-striker-wide.mp4422026-11-10T06:10:20Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-3-3-underlapping-number-8/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-underlapping-number-8.jpg4-3-3 underlapping number 8: football drillThe full-back plays into the winger, and the number 8 runs inside the winger into the half-space for a cut-back. A modern 4-3-3 pattern that opens the box.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-underlapping-number-8-wide.mp4332026-11-10T06:10:21Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-3-3-wide-triangle-rotation/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-wide-triangle-rotation.jpg4-3-3: wide triangle rotation: football drillFull-back, eight and winger rotate on one side: when one comes short, another goes long. The defender can't follow everyone, so someone is always free.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-3-3-wide-triangle-rotation-wide.mp4402026-11-10T06:10:21Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/rondos/4-4-2-box-rondo/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-4-2-box-rondo.jpg4-4-2 box rondo with a switch: football drillTwo 4v1 boxes linked by a switch pass. The four in each box mirror the 4-4-2 midfield line and back line, and the switch trains moving the ball from one side of the pitch to the other.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-4-2-box-rondo-wide.mp4412026-11-10T06:10:22Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-4-2-central-midfield-switch/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-4-2-central-midfield-switch.jpg4-4-2 switch through the central pair: football drillThe ball moves from full-back to a central midfielder, across to the other central midfielder, and out to the far wide midfielder. Teaches the 4-4-2 to switch through the middle quickly.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-4-2-central-midfield-switch-wide.mp4362026-11-10T06:10:22Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/pressing/4-4-2-high-press/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-4-2-high-press.jpg4-4-2 high press: the two strikers' cues: football drillThe two strikers press the centre-backs with clear cues and the midfield four push up behind them. A full-team pressing practice for 4-4-2 teams.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-4-2-high-press-wide.mp4382026-11-10T06:28:17Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-4-2-strike-partnership/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-4-2-strike-partnership.jpg4-4-2 strike partnership: one short, one long: football drillTwo strikers work as a pair: one comes short for the ball, the other spins in behind. The partnership at the heart of 4-4-2, 3-5-2 and 9v9 3-3-2.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-4-2-strike-partnership-wide.mp4452026-11-10T06:28:17Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/patterns-of-play/4-4-2-wide-2v1/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-4-2-wide-2v1.jpg4-4-2 wide 2v1: full-back and wide midfielder: football drillFull-back and wide midfielder take on one defender down the flank, choosing between the overlap, the underlap and the give-and-go. Builds the wide partnership a 4-4-2 relies on.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4-4-2-wide-2v1-wide.mp4412026-11-10T06:28:18Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/rondos/4v1-rondo/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4v1-rondo.jpg4v1 rondo: football drillFour players on the outside of a square keep the ball from one defender in the middle. The simplest rondo and the best place to start.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4v1-rondo-wide.mp4342026-11-10T06:28:18Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/rondos/4v2-rondo/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4v2-rondo.jpg4v2 rondo: football drillFour attackers keep the ball from two defenders. With two defenders, attackers must find the pass that splits them and support at angles on both sides.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/4v2-rondo-wide.mp4362026-11-10T06:28:19Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/goalkeeping/keeper-one-on-one-smother/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/keeper-one-on-one-smother.jpgKeeper one-on-ones (close down and smother): football drillAttackers dribble in from 20 metres and the keeper closes them down, makes themselves big and smothers or blocks. Teaches the brave, sensible one-on-one technique.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/keeper-one-on-one-smother-wide.mp4382026-11-09T11:25:10Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/dribbling/king-of-the-ring/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/king-of-the-ring.jpgKing of the ring: football drillEveryone dribbles inside the ring, protecting their own ball while trying to knock other balls out. The last player with a ball is king. Shielding, close control and awareness in one game.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/king-of-the-ring-wide.mp4362026-11-09T11:25:11Zyes https://gafferbook.com/drills/shooting/one-two-and-shoot/https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/one-two-and-shoot.jpgOne-two and shoot: football drillPlayers play a one-two with a wall player on the edge of the box and finish first time or after one touch. Combines passing, timing and shooting.https://gafferbook.com/media/drills/one-two-and-shoot-wide.mp4362026-11-09T11:17:37Zyes