Description
This possession drill develops link-up play, breaking lines and creating passing options in multiple directions. The central link-up zone encourages players to play through the middle before finding space in wide or advanced scoring zones.
Set up a rectangular playing area with four neutral bouncers positioned around the outside.
Add four scoring zones inside the area, one near each corner. Add a fifth link-up zone in the middle of the area.
Play 3v3, 4v4 or 5v5 inside the area. The team in possession can use the outside bouncers to help keep the ball and create better passing angles.
A team scores a point by playing a pass into the central link-up zone and then successfully playing out to a teammate in one of the four scoring zones.
The aim is to encourage players to break lines, connect through the middle and always provide at least three passing options: one to each side and one centrally.
Players should be encouraged to rotate and move in and out of the zones so they do not become static or simply wait in scoring positions.
Progressions
- Limit inside players to 2 or 3 touches.
- Limit bouncers to one-touch or two-touch play.
Coaching Points
- Always create three passing options around the ball: left, right and central.
- Move after passing to create new angles and avoid becoming static.
- Rotate positions so players arrive into zones at the right time rather than standing in them.
- Scan before receiving to know where pressure, space and teammates are.
- Use bouncers to escape pressure and change the direction of play.