5v5+2 Possession Game in 30x25 m
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.
Step 1Salida por el exterior
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El equipo rojo circula por el borde mientras el azul presiona al poseedor.
Objective
Improve ball retention under pressure by exploiting the numerical overload, with particular attention to inside support and switching play.
Organisation
30x25 m rectangle marked with cones. Two teams of five in different coloured bibs and two jokers in a third colour who always play with the team in possession. Spare balls spread around the perimeter for quick restarts.
Development
- 1The team in possession tries to string passes together using the two jokers, who move inside the area.
- 2Jokers play with a maximum of two touches; the other players have unlimited touches at first and three touches once the game settles.
- 3Ten consecutive passes score a point; a pass from joker to joker scores a bonus point for breaking lines.
- 4When the defending team wins the ball, it immediately becomes the possession team and the jokers switch sides without stopping play.
- 5Sets of 4 minutes with 1 minute of recovery; rotate the jokers every set so everyone experiences the free-player role.
Coaching points4
- Width and depth: the five possession players occupy the edges of the rectangle and the jokers the inside.
- Play into the inside joker only when he is facing forward or has a close support to lay off to.
- After every pass, offer a new passing line; the ball carrier must always have two options.
- Switch play when the opponent shifts across: long pass to the weak side.
Common mistakes3
- All possession players drifting towards the ball and closing the inside spaces.
- Jokers receiving with their back to play and losing the ball under pressure.
- The team that wins the ball does not look for the first outlet and loses it again immediately.
Variations3
- Jokers stand outside the rectangle, one on each end line, and play one touch.
- Bonus point if the team moves the ball from one end line to the other in three passes.
- Jokers may only pass forward relative to the direction of attack.
Progressions2
- Reduce the area to 25x20 m and restrict every player to two touches.
- Play 5v5+1 with a single joker to bring the exercise closer to numerical parity.
Regressions2
- Enlarge the area to 35x30 m and add a third joker.
- Unlimited touches and a point every six consecutive passes.
Tips
- Always restart with a new ball from the perimeter to keep intensity high.
- Stop play briefly to show the correct joker positions when they bunch together.