Week 4

Outcomes

• ✓Players can perform a drag-back to 180° at walking pace
• ✓Players can drag-back and accelerate in the new direction
• ✓Players can combine a drag-back with a subsequent inside cut
• ✓Players understand when a drag-back is more useful than a scissors

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 20 cones
• 4 pinnies
• 2 small goals

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: 20×20 yd free-roam.

   How to run it: Players dribble freely. On 'drag!' they immediately sole the ball and drag it backward two steps, then resume dribbling in the opposite direction. Coach calls 'drag!' every 30 seconds.

   • ›Sole flat on top of the ball for the drag
   • ›Pull through your standing leg, not to the side
   • ›Quick first touch after the drag goes forward again

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Individual channels; two cones 10 yds apart.

   How to run it: Players dribble to the far cone, perform a sole drag-back, and dribble back. Progress to: dribble to cone, drag-back 180°, and sprint to a third cone placed 5 yds to the side. Finish with hamstring and calf stretches in motion.

   • ›Turn your hips 180° after the drag
   • ›First touch after the drag should go wide of the imaginary defender

3. 3. Technical Practice – Drag-Back Gauntlet

   15m

   Set up: Four 'pressure zones' marked by two cones 1 yd apart, spaced 4 yds along a 20-yd lane. Players queue at start.

   How to run it: Player dribbles the lane; at each pressure zone they must drag-back and exit out the opposite side. After two slow passes, add a defender at each zone who closes passively. Ask: 'What does the drag-back give you that a turn doesn't?'

   • ›Drag-back changes your direction without turning your back to the field
   • ›Stay facing forward so you can see defenders
   • ›Don't drag too far – two touches is enough
   • ›Check your shoulder before the drag to know where space is

4. 4. Skill Game – End-Zone Drag-Back

   15m

   Set up: 20×15 yd grid; 2-yd end zones at each end; teams of 3.

   How to run it: Players score by dribbling into the opponent's end zone using a drag-back to enter (must perform the drag-back within the end zone). Team with most end-zone entries wins. Normal defending rules.

   • ›Drag-back in a tight space: take a touch sideways after to find space
   • ›Disguise your entry – approach at different angles
   • ›Teammates: create distraction runs to open the end zone

5. 5. Small-Sided Game – 4v4 with Central Zone

   17m

   Set up: 30×22 yd pitch; middle 8-yd band marked as a 'press zone'; small goals.

   How to run it: When the ball enters the press zone, defenders must close aggressively. Attackers must use a drag-back or another move to escape before progressing. Normal play outside the zone. This replicates high-press situations.

   • ›Recognise when pressure is coming – act early
   • ›Use the drag-back before the defender arrives, not after
   • ›Stay calm – composure under pressure is a skill

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Static stretches: hip flexors, groin. Ask: 'When is a drag-back better than turning?' Guide toward: when there's pressure from behind and no space to turn.

   • ›Decision-making: the right move at the right time
   • ›Build the habit of scanning before receiving

Outcomes

• ✓Players can drag-back successfully when closed down in a game
• ✓Players can link a drag-back into an attacking run
• ✓Players show awareness of pressure before receiving the ball
• ✓Players can combine drag-back with another move from the repertoire

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 20 cones
• 8 pinnies
• 4 small goals

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: 20×20 yd free-roam.

   How to run it: Players dribble and combine any two moves from weeks 1–4 on the coach's call. Call: 'scissors then drag'. 'Step-over then drag'. Players have 5 seconds to execute.

   • ›Smooth transitions between moves
   • ›Quality not speed at this point in the session

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Pairs; 1 ball per pair; 15-yd channel.

   How to run it: Player A dribbles to Player B who closes actively. A must use a drag-back and dribble past B. B chases but cannot tackle in the warm-up. Switch roles. Progress: B may block one side to force a specific exit direction.

   • ›Recognise closing body shape – act before contact
   • ›Exit drag in the direction of most space

3. 3. Technical Practice – 1v1 Pressure Box

   15m

   Set up: 10×10 yd box per pair; cone goal on each end line.

   How to run it: Attacker has ball; defender closes from 5 yds. Attacker must use a drag-back at least once before scoring. Play 45-second rounds. Three rounds, then swap. Ask after: 'How early did you perform the drag-back relative to the defender arriving?'

   • ›Early drag is better than late – don't get caught
   • ›After the drag, drive into space with pace
   • ›Shield the ball if you can't escape immediately
   • ›Vary the exit direction to stay unpredictable

4. 4. Skill Game – 3v3 Rondo with Drag Rule

   15m

   Set up: 15×15 yd grid; 3 defenders in the middle; 3 attackers on the outside. 1 ball.

   How to run it: Outside players keep possession against the 3 defenders. If a defender closes an outside player, that player must use a drag-back or other move to escape before passing. A pass under pressure without a dribble attempt earns defenders a point.

   • ›Dribblers: use the drag to reset and find the angle
   • ›Defenders: press in pairs, cover the exit
   • ›Outside players: support your teammate at angles

5. 5. Small-Sided Game – 5v5 Free Play

   17m

   Set up: 35×25 yd pitch; two goals; free play.

   How to run it: Free 5v5 with no constraints. Coach observes and counts drag-back attempts. Share the count at full time to reward collective effort.

   • ›Let the game flow – no stoppages
   • ›Positive reinforcement: shout 'nice drag!' when you see it
   • ›Count attempts, not just successes

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Full-body stretches. Coach summarises moves learned so far: close control, scissors, step-over, drag-back. Players vote on their favourite. Preview Week 5: the chop.

   • ›You now have four weapons – mix them up
   • ›Defenders hate unpredictable attackers