Week 41

Outcomes

• ✓Players can position themselves at a 45-degree support angle from the ball-carrier.
• ✓Players can adjust their support distance based on defensive pressure.
• ✓Players can call for the ball and show a target hand when in a support position.
• ✓Players can receive a back-pass and play forward immediately.

Equipment

• 14 cones
• 8 bibs
• 6 balls
• 4 small goals

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: 15×15 yd grid, players in groups of three, one ball per group.

   How to run it: One player dribbles, two players shadow at a 45-degree angle on each side — always staying in support position as the dribbler moves. On 'Pass!', the dribbler plays to one supporter who then becomes the dribbler.

   • ›45-degree angle: not directly behind, not directly beside.
   • ›Support players: move as the ball moves — shadow the dribbler.
   • ›Show a clear target hand so the dribbler can see you.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Groups of four, one ball. Rondo square with cones 8 yards apart.

   How to run it: 3v1 rondo — three players keep the ball against one defender. Support players move to create angles constantly. After six touches, swap the defender. Focus on movement into support positions, not just passing.

   • ›Never stand still — move to create a new angle after every pass.
   • ›If your angle is blocked, move to the other side.
   • ›Quick first touch opens the next pass.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: 20×15 yd zone. 3v1 with a target player beyond the zone. Ball-carrier tries to play into the target. Two support players help with combination play.

   How to run it: Ball-carrier receives and uses the two support players to work around the defender and play through to the target. Target player returns the ball and play resets. Progress: add a second defender to increase pressure.

   • ›Support player near the pressure: show short and fast.
   • ›Support player away from pressure: show long and check away first.
   • ›After the ball reaches the target, sprint to new support positions.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v4 on 30×20 yd, four small goals (one at each corner). Score by passing through any goal. A goal only counts if the scorer received a support pass before shooting.

   How to run it: Teams keep possession and look for support-pass-to-shot sequences. Coach awards confirmed combinations. Rotate after every goal or five minutes.

   • ›Support pass first, then play forward — patience.
   • ›Ball-carrier: trust the support players to create space.
   • ›Defenders: press the ball-carrier, not the support player.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5 including keeper, 40×30 yd, full goal plus two wide end gates.

   How to run it: Free match. Coach counts 'support passes' out loud — any backward or sideways pass to a team-mate who was in clear support position. At half-time, both teams' support pass counts are announced.

   • ›A support pass is not a backwards pass for its own sake — it must relieve pressure.
   • ›After giving a support pass, immediately move forward to receive the next.
   • ›Encourage players to call for the ball when in support.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle, players seated.

   How to run it: Ankle and shoulder mobility. Coach asks: 'What is the difference between a support pass and just passing backwards?' Collect two responses.

   • ›Support = releasing pressure and creating a new forward option.
   • ›Simply kicking backward to avoid a tackle is not the same thing.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can escape a press by playing to a nearby support player.
• ✓Players can create a support triangle to maintain possession under pressure.
• ✓Players can quickly switch the point of attack after a support pass.
• ✓Players can communicate support positions verbally during a game.

Equipment

• 12 cones
• 10 bibs
• 8 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 keepers

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: 10×10 yd grid per group of three, one ball.

   How to run it: Keep-away 2v1 in tiny grids. The two keepers must pass before the defender can win the ball. After every ten passes without a turnover, the keeper pair earns a point. Rotate defender every 90 seconds.

   • ›Small space = fast decisions — no holding the ball.
   • ›Support player: always be visible — never stand behind the defender.
   • ›First touch away from pressure, second touch forward.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Larger 20×20 yd grid. 4v2 rondo, two defenders in the middle.

   How to run it: Four outside players keep the ball away from two defenders inside. Players earn one point for ten consecutive passes. Defenders earn a point for each interception. Rotate defenders every two minutes.

   • ›Move the ball before the press arrives — anticipate.
   • ›Use all four sides of the square — don't bunch.
   • ›Encourage verbal communication throughout.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: 30×20 yd pitch divided into thirds. Three defenders press aggressively in the middle third. Four attackers try to play through from one end to the other.

   How to run it: Attackers must use support triangles to bypass the press. Any ball won by defenders in the middle zone restarts from the beginning. Progress: defenders can now press in pairs, creating a 4v4 situation.

   • ›One short, one long: always have a near and a far option.
   • ›If pressed, play to the free player on the far side.
   • ›Move after every pass — don't watch the next action.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v4 with two neutral jokers who always play for the team in possession. 30×20 yd. Two small end gates.

   How to run it: 6v4 in favour of attackers. Jokers must always be in support positions and cannot score. Teams score through the gates. Swap jokers every four minutes.

   • ›Jokers: constantly move to create triangles around the ball.
   • ›Ball-carriers: use the joker as a safety valve when pressed.
   • ›After the joker pass, two players must move forward.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 6v6 including keepers, 45×35 yd, two full goals.

   How to run it: Free match with press rule: any team that wins possession must immediately press the ball-carrier within three seconds or concedes a free pass. This creates a high-press environment rewarding support play.

   • ›When pressed, look for the player furthest from the ball.
   • ›Support triangles give you three options — choose the best one.
   • ›After a turnover, support players must sprint to new positions immediately.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Players in two lines facing each other, light passing.

   How to run it: Easy passes back and forth. Coach asks: 'What did you do when a team-mate was under pressure?' Collect answers. End with the team phrase: 'Support, receive, play forward.'

   • ›Support play is a team habit — one player moving is not enough.
   • ›Encourage players who made selfless support runs even without receiving.