Playing it out

1. Centre backs start with the ball, they cannot be challenged

2. The aim is for a team to transfer the ball from their centre backs to the opposition centre backs

3. Teams can use the neutral wide players, who cannot be challenged in their channels

Practice 2

Set up

Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of your players. You need a goal at one end and a channel marked out at the other. Set up with a 7v5 – one player from each team starts outside the area at the end with the channel marked out.

How to play

The goalkeeper always starts with the ball. The aim is for the player starting outside of the area to receive the ball in the top channel, by playing out from the back. If the opposing team wins possession, they can score in the goal.

Progressions/adaptations

You can introduce a touch limit. You can also introduce gates in wide areas for the defenders to dribble through as an additional way to score via playing out from the back.

Coaching points

Encourage players to be patient in possession and play the pass they see. Players should scan and receive with an open body to allow them to play forward where possible. Encourage quick combination play in central areas and a switch of play via the centre-backs. Timing of movement is also important, especially for the player receiving the ball in the top channel.

1. The goalkeeper always starts with the ball

2. The team aims to get the ball to the player starting outside the area by playing out from the back

3. If the opposing team wins possession, they can score in the goal

Small-sided game

Set up

Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of your players. Divide the pitch into thirds and split players into two equal teams, including goalkeepers.

How to play

Play a small-sided game, with the aim of playing out from the defensive third to the attacking third, via the middle third. Teams don’t have to do this, they should be encouraged to problem-solve in the moment. But goals count double if they are successful. If the out-of-possession team wins the ball in their attacking third and scores, the goal counts for double.

Progressions/adaptations

You can introduce a touch limit.

Coaching points

Encourage players to be patient in possession and play the pass they see. Players should scan and receive with an open body to allow them to play forward where possible. Encourage quick combination play in central areas and a switch of play via the centre-backs. Timing of movement and weight of pass are also important.

1. Play a regular small-sided game

2. Playing through the thirds is not required, however if they do so, a resulting goal counts for double

3. If the out-of-possession team wins the ball in their attacking third and scores, the goal also counts for double