Focus: Possession Drill
Number of Players: +12
Age: +U13
Level: Medium
Setup:
- Set up three small goals a few meters from the middle of the field.
- Form a defensive backline with 3 or 4 players, with a couple of midfielders for support.
- Put out 4-5 attacking players to put pressure on during goal kicks.
- Adjust the number of players depending on your team’s tactical vision.
Why Use This Drill?
This Building out from Goal Kick Drill is all about improving your team’s ability to start an attack and possession game right from goal kicks. It gives you the chance to try out different strategies when facing pressure from the opposing team. In today’s football, being smart about playing out from goal kicks is essential, and if your team gets it right, it can be a game-changer against tough opponents.
Practicing how to transition from phase 1 to phase 2 of the possession game is a key focus here.
The attacking players also practice high-pressure situations against opponents and learn how to press collectively as a team.
How It Works
The ball begins with the goalkeeper (or one of the defenders) making a pass like a goal kick. The players then need to pass through the pressure from the attacking players and aim to get the ball into one of the three goals up the pitch.
If the attacking team wins the ball, their goal is to score on the defenders and goalkeeper.
The small goals represent the successful play through the pressure, marking the transition to the attacking players and the next phase of the game. This is the core objective of the drill.
Experiment with different methods and strategies to pass through the pressure. Below, we’ve provided two examples for inspiration on how to build up against the pressure with a backline of 4 or 3 defenders.
Example 1: (Backline of 4 players)
The players aim to pass through the pressure, utilizing the full-back’s runs along the wide lines. The midfielders move around the pitch to open up space for the full-backs.
Example 2: (Backline of 3 players)
The focus here is on one of the defenders making a run up the pitch, either with or without the ball, aiming to create unexpected space against the pressing team.
Other Key Points:
- Modify the player numbers on each team to suit your preferred playing style.
- Encourage players to stay on their toes, maintaining a state of readiness to receive the ball.
- The drill should be seen as inspiration. So feel free to adapt the drill to suit your team’s specific needs or focus areas.
