Theme: Improving a Specific Main Moment of Soccer

• Main Moment Focus: Winning Ball Possession from Opponent (Transition)
• Exercise: 4 v 4 v 4 Transition
• Age: U12+
• Number of Players: 12 players
• Materials: Cones-4, Bibs-12 (4 red, 4 blue, 4 yellow), Balls-8

Description:

• Three teams of 4 players: Team A; Team B; and Team C.
• Team A and Team B play together against Team C. These 8 players try to maintain possession of the ball.
• If Team C wins possession, they play together with the team who didn't lose the ball.
• The team that lost possession is now the team of 4 who try to win possession of the ball.
• If Team A lost the ball, Team B and Team C play together against Team A. 3-5 rounds of 3-5 minutes

Coaching Points:

• "Transition Quickly!"
• Conquering the ball: Make the field "big".
• Losing the ball: React quickly and make the field "small".
• Speed of the transition. No time for disappointment! Transition!
• Call the color of the team which should conquer the ball if there is any confusion.

Build-Up of the Exercise:

• First time - Stop the play when a team wins possession and explain what will happen next. The next time the players should understand and transition quickly!
• Increase size of field to make it easier for the 8 players in possession.
• Decrease size of field to make it more difficult for 9 players in possession.

Variations

• 9 players (3v3v3)
• 15 players (5v5v5)
• 18 players (6v6v6)