Week 17

Outcomes

• ✓Players can recognise a square or backward support angle when forward play is blocked
• ✓Players can create a triangle with two teammates around the ball
• ✓Players can adjust their support position when the ball moves
• ✓Players can communicate their availability with a verbal call and hand signal

Equipment

• 12 size-4 balls
• 24 disc cones
• 4 small goals
• bibs

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: One ball between two, free grid.

   How to run it: One player dribbles while the other acts as a support shadow — always staying at a 45-degree angle behind and to the side of the dribbler. On 'pass!', dribbler plays to the support player and they swap roles. Practice both sides.

   • ›Support player is never directly behind — always at an angle
   • ›Distance: close enough to receive, far enough not to be caught in same press

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Groups of 3, three cones in a triangle (6 yards per side).

   How to run it: Ball starts at A. Players move to each cone as a group, passing clockwise. After 2 minutes reverse. Add movement: after passing, the passer runs to a new cone to create a different triangle shape. No standing still.

   • ›Triangle shape constantly shifts — players must read and move
   • ›Call your name before you receive

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: 4 players: 1 ball carrier (BC), 2 support players (S1, S2), 1 defender. 20×15 yd area.

   How to run it: BC dribbles and must find S1 or S2 who should form a triangle around them. S1 and S2 take turns showing at different angles. Defender pressures BC. After a pass to S1, S2 must readjust to new support position. Rotate roles every 3 minutes.

   • ›Two options, two angles — never both on the same side
   • ›When the ball moves, the triangle must shift
   • ›Support player shows a hand target and calls

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 5v2 rondo, 12×12 yd.

   How to run it: Five attackers form triangles around the two defenders. Every time the attackers complete a pass through the inside of a triangle shape (ball travels through the space between three players in a triangle), they earn 2 points instead of 1. Coach points out good triangle moments.

   • ›Constant movement to form new triangles as the ball moves
   • ›Don't pass across a defender — pass around them via triangle angles
   • ›Defenders: try to break the triangle by pressing aggressively

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 4v4, 25×18 yd, small goals.

   How to run it: Open play. Freeze the game twice to point out triangle formations. Ask players: 'Where is the triangle here? Who is the third man?' Reward a team with a free kick restart from a good triangle position if they can name all three corners.

   • ›Triangles are not fixed — they shift constantly with the ball
   • ›The ball-carrier always needs two options
   • ›Third man completes the triangle by moving off the ball

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Gentle groin, quad, and shoulder stretches. Coach draws a quick triangle on the ground with cones, labelling ball-carrier, support 1, support 2. Players name the angle for each position.

   • ›Triangles are the foundation of possession play
   • ›Everyone is responsible for providing an option

Outcomes

• ✓Players can maintain a triangle shape while team is in possession
• ✓Players can exploit a numerical advantage created by a triangle
• ✓Players can break a triangle intentionally to create a forward run
• ✓Players can reform a triangle quickly after losing and regaining possession

Equipment

• 10 size-4 balls
• 24 disc cones
• 4 small goals
• bibs

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Groups of 3, one ball.

   How to run it: Three players pass in a moving triangle — always walking or jogging, never stationary. If the triangle shrinks to under 4 yards per side or expands past 12, the group restarts. Count how long they can maintain good shape.

   • ›Triangle moves as a unit — the whole shape shifts with the ball
   • ›Receiver calls before the ball arrives

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Full group in open space.

   How to run it: Coach calls a number (2, 3, or 4) — players must form groups of that size within 5 seconds and hold a passing triangle for 10 seconds. Stray players do 5 star-jumps and rejoin. Finish with light jogging and dynamic leg swings.

   • ›Read the space and move to form the group quickly
   • ›Triangle proportions: not too tight, not too wide

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: 3v1 channel, 15×8 yd. Three attackers start at one end, one defender in the middle.

   How to run it: Three attackers must pass through the channel past the single defender and arrive at the other end with the ball. They must use at least two passes. After each run, the attacking threesome scores a point for successfully using a triangle pass combination to beat the defender.

   • ›Triangle around the defender, not into them
   • ›The free player is always behind the defender's shoulder
   • ›Play quickly — the defender commits, pass around

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v4 possession game, 18×18 yd, no goals.

   How to run it: Teams score by completing 6 consecutive passes. After 6 passes the count resets and either team can win the ball. Constraint: at least one pass in the sequence must be a backward or square pass that sets up a forward pass. Coach counts passes aloud.

   • ›Recycle to find a better angle — backwards to go forward
   • ›The support player enables the forward option
   • ›Stay patient — 6 passes is achievable if the triangle is maintained

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5 on 30×22 yd, small goals.

   How to run it: Free match play. Freeze twice — each time ask players to show the triangle on the field by raising hands. If a team can point to a triangle in their current positions, they get the free restart. Encourage verbal communication throughout.

   • ›Communication makes the triangle work
   • ›Break the triangle to run forward; teammate fills the gap
   • ›Win the ball and instantly recreate the triangle in transition

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Calf, hip, and spine rotation stretches. Quick quiz: coach calls a scenario (e.g. 'You're the ball-carrier, defender in front, where do your two support players go?') — players point to positions.

   • ›Triangles give the ball-carrier two options, always
   • ›Movement off the ball builds the triangle before the pass is made