Week 4: pass or dribble

• 2 or more players
• 0 to 2 goals

1. Dribble at a cone and make a move around it.
2. Then dribble to the back of the other line, or pass to the next player.
3. The pattern repeats.

No pressure here. This is about the move itself, done cleanly and at pace.

• 1 pugg or gate goal
• Shooting line 5+ yards out

1. Mark a shooting line 5 or more yards out from a pugg (or gate) goal.
2. The attacker goes around the defender.
3. They must shoot before they reach the line.

Shooting from 8 or 9 yards out simulates a pass to a forward.

1. Player 2 passes to player 1.
2. Player 1 dribbles into the attacking half and plays 1v1 against the defender.
3. The defender must stay in that half.
4. To encourage passing, player 2 joins the attack: now it's 2v1.

Build it up

Start with 1v1, move to 2v1, and slowly build to 3v1 and 3v2.

Rotating

Either rotate positions each round, or have two teams: one attacks, one defends, and after a few minutes the groups switch roles.

1. Player 2 passes to player 1.
2. With help from player 3, they try to get into the attacking zone by passing and dribbling past the first defender.

In the attacking zone, pick a rule

• Option 1 Only the player who dribbles in can go on. Now it's 1v1 with the second defender.
• Option 2 A second attacker joins and they play 2v1.

Build to 3v2

Keep it 3v1 in the defending zone. Once the ball enters the attacking half, the game goes to 3v2 and stays 3v2 until the ball is out of play.

• 8 or more players
• 1 to 3 goals
• Field split into 3 zones

1. Divide the field into 3 equal rectangles, with 1 to 3 goals on one endline.
2. Put a single defender in zone 2 (middle) and zone 3 (the one with the goals). They must stay in their zones.
3. Three lines of attackers use passing and dribbling to move from one zone to the next and beat the defenders.

Possible rule

Attackers must play 2 touch in zones 1 and 3. This forces passing in zone 1 and quick finishing in zone 3.

Rotate

Rotate defenders after 2 to 3 minutes, or have them rotate naturally if they steal the ball.

When to pass versus dribble. Balance and support in attack: a triangle shape, with depth and width.

• Same grid as sharks and minnows
• Extra players on the side

Play 4v2 in the same grid as sharks and minnows.

Start

1. 1 player in the defending zone (no defender).
2. 2 attackers against 1 defender in the mid zone.
3. 1 attacker against 1 defender in the attacking zone.

Play

1. Attackers move the ball from the defending zone to the mid zone to the attacking zone.
2. As the ball moves forward, the attacking players go with it. Defenders must stay in their zones.
3. The attacking team tries to score with passing, not dribbling.

Have extra players on the side, ready to start the next game as quickly as possible.

• 6 players minimum
• 2 goals
• Field split into 3 zones

1. Play 3v3 across 3 zones — or 3v1, three times.
2. Defenders must stay in their zone.
3. Attacking players work the ball through each zone to score.
4. If they score, they get a new ball and play the opposite direction.

Restrict each zone to suit your topic

• Two touch in the defensive and midfield zones, unlimited in the attacking zone.
• Goals must be one touch.
• Every player must touch the ball in each zone before scoring.

Roles switch when

The attackers kick the ball out of bounds (side or endline), or a defender wins the ball and completes a pass to a teammate in a different zone.

Another transition option

Depending on numbers: when the ball is out or turned over, play stops, the three defenders move to the middle zone and become the attackers, and three new players join as defenders. The attacking team tries to stay on the field as long as possible.

• 6 players
• 4 goals
• Coach with spare balls

1. Play 3v3 with a goal on each sideline.
2. Teams can score on any goal.
3. When a ball goes out of play or into a goal, the coach puts a new ball in play, so the game never stops.