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Setup

• Area: 30x30m grid with two 5-meter end zones for defenders and a 20-meter central zone for midfield play.

• Players:

  • 2 center-backs (CBs) in each end zone.

  • 3 midfielders (midfielders) vs. 3 chasers (midfielders) in the central zone.

  • Rotations occur when roles are reversed.

• Equipment: Cones, bibs, and multiple footballs.

Objective

• Develop confidence and technical ability in playing progressive passes through the midfield.

• Improve midfielders’ movement and positioning to receive under pressure.

• Encourage teamwork, quick decision-making, and composure in tight spaces.

Key Coaching Points

• For Defenders (Center-Backs):

  • Use proper body orientation to receive the ball.

  • Deliver sharp, accurate ground passes.

  • Scan the field before receiving to identify passing options.

• For Midfielders:

  • Position yourself to receive in open spaces between defenders.

  • Communicate clearly and use one-touch or two-touch play for quick transitions.

  • Avoid staying static; movement creates passing angles.

• General:

  • Maintain a high tempo and limit touches to simulate game scenarios.

  • Encourage proper spacing between lines to exploit passing lanes.

  • Decision-making: know when to pass forward, recycle possession, or dribble.

Instructions

• Basic Drill:

  • Center-backs (CBs) start with the ball in their defensive zone.

  • Each possession allows only one pass between CBs before they must play forward.

  • Midfielders in the central zone aim to transition the ball from one end zone to the other.

  • Chasers in the midfield apply pressure to disrupt passing and win possession.

  • Midfielders may only play one back pass to the CBs per sequence.

• Progression 1:

  • Allow one CB to dribble into the midfield zone to attract pressure before passing.

• Progression 2:

  • Add pressing defenders into the end zones for CBs to handle additional pressure.

• Progression 3:

  • Introduce time constraints for transitioning the ball between zones.

Questions for Players

• What movements can you make to provide better passing options for the CBs?

• How does proper body orientation help you maintain possession?

• When is it more effective to pass backward versus playing forward?

• What cues can you identify to exploit gaps in the opposition's structure?

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