Team tactical drills: possession, pressing, transitions and small-sided games.
15 drills
15 drills
Possession in 25x25 m with two teams of four and three neutrals (two on opposite sidelines and one inside). The team in possession plays 7v4; the team that wins the ball takes over. Structure, support and counter-pressing.
Y-shaped passing sequence: support, lay-off to the third man and a pass into space to finish against the keeper. A pre-season classic for passing, movement and timing.
Activation rondo in 8x8 m squares: four keepers of the ball against one presser who swaps out every time they touch the ball. Ideal to start the session with the ball and rhythm.
Classic four-versus-two rondo in an 8x8 m square with a maximum of two touches. Works circulation speed, constant support and the coordinated pressing of the two defenders.
Wave finishing drill: the attacker plays a wall pass with a target player at the edge of the box and finishes first time past the goalkeeper. Accuracy, timing and finishing.
Diamond passing pattern in which the ball reaches the third man through a support touch and a first-time lay-off. Develops timing, pass weight and support movement.
Waves of three attackers against two defenders from the halfway line towards a goal with a keeper. The player on the ball must decide between dribbling, passing to the support or to the runner depending on the defenders' reaction.
Crosses from both wings with two attackers hitting the near and far posts and one defender trying to clear. Works the timing of runs into the box, the jump and the direction of the header.
1v1 duels in 15x8 m channels with two mini goals: the defender passes to the attacker and closes down immediately, steering them towards the side to win the ball. Individual defending technique.
Two adjacent 10x10 m squares. Five possession players against two pressers; after eight passes the ball is switched to the other square and the two pressers must sprint across. Works possession under pressure and the transition after losing the ball.
4v4 small-sided game in 35x25 m in which each team defends two mini goals. Forces players to switch play, read the free goal and defend as a compact unit.
3v2 counter-attack on a half pitch with a defender recovering from behind. The attackers must finish quickly before the recovering defender evens up the duel.
4v4 small-sided game in 40x30 m with mini goals in which the team that loses the ball has six seconds to win it back. Trains immediate reaction and coordinated pressing.
Possession game with two inside jokers who always play with the team in possession. A 7v5 overload to work keeping the ball under pressure and finding the free player.
Goalkeeper transition drill: after the save, a quick overarm throw to the winger breaking into the flank, with a striker pressing the distribution.