Positional Play - Dropping Holding Midfielder

Pitch: Two mini goals stand side by side in front of the penalty area, with the playing area in between. Cones can be used to help mark the positions of the players; about 7 are useful for this.

Equipment: 2 mini goals, about 7 cones and several balls.

Players: Two centre-backs, two full-backs and two holding midfielders.

• The full-back plays a back pass to the centre-back nearest the ball.
• That is the signal for the holding midfielder furthest from the ball to drop diagonally in alongside the centre-back furthest from the ball.
• The centre-back nearest the ball switches play to the second centre-back, who passes the ball on first time to the dropping holding midfielder.
• The holding midfielder dribbles forward one zone and completes the build-up with a pass into the goal positioned ahead.

Variations:

• After the back pass, the full-back furthest from the ball moves into the holding midfield zone while the holding midfielder furthest from the ball sets off wide to occupy the width. The centre-back nearest the ball switches play to the other centre-back, who passes to the free full-back in the holding midfield zone. The full-back turns into the half-space and completes the build-up with a pass into the mini goal.
• The same sequence, but the second centre-back passes to the free holding midfielder out wide. The holding midfielder turns and completes the build-up with a pass into the goal positioned diagonally ahead.

Note: After one round, play starts from the other side. How many goals does the group manage in three minutes?