Passes into the Centre

Pitch: Mark out a square of 15 x 15 metres with four cones and mark out another square of about 5 x 5 metres in its centre. Outside the large square, two mini goals or dribbling goals stand on two diagonally opposite sides.

Equipment: 8 cones, 2 mini goals, bibs in two colours, balls.

Players: Two teams, the first with 5 and the second with 2 players. Adjust accordingly for other group sizes, for example 4 vs 2 or 6 vs 2.

• One player of the team with the numerical advantage stands in the small square, which nobody else may enter.
• The remaining players of this team stand outside the large square and may not enter it.
• The team with fewer players plays in the large square and tries to prevent the passes.
• The team with the numerical advantage tries to play the pass to the central player in the small square and opens up gaps on the outside with quick switches of play.
• If the team with fewer players intercepts a pass, it tries to score through the mini goals.
• After losing possession, the team with the numerical advantage starts counter-pressing immediately.
• The next round starts as soon as the team with the numerical advantage has won the ball back or the team with fewer players has scored.

Scoring: Every successful pass into the small square earns the team with the numerical advantage one point, every goal through a mini goal earns the team with fewer players one point.

Progression:

• The central player has only one touch and plays the ball straight back to the outside.
• Introduce a general touch or time limit.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.