Week 6

Outcomes

• ✓Players can play a give-and-go that unlocks a forward third-man run
• ✓Players can circulate the ball across three midfielders in a flat or staggered 3 without losing possession
• ✓Players can identify when to play a third-man run versus when to hold and recycle
• ✓Players can maintain possession under pressure by using the pivot as a safe pass

Equipment

• 10 balls
• 25 cones
• 6 pinnies
• 2 full-size goals

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & FIFA 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Square grid 15×15 yds. Players pass in the square, one ball per 4 players.

   How to run it: Passing sequence in the square at increasing pace. Add: every third pass must be a through-pass to a player making a forward run. FIFA 11+ work: slow single-leg squats (3 each leg), calf raises (10 slow reps), hamstring scoops walking across the grid. Finish with 2×30-yd progressive acceleration runs.

   • ›Through-pass timing: play it into the runner's stride, not to their feet
   • ›Single-leg squat: control the descent — don't drop; feel the eccentric strength
   • ›Acceleration runs: from standing start, accelerate over 15 yds then maintain

2. 2. Technical Practice – Third-Man Run Combination

   15m

   Set up: 5 cones in a Y-shape: stem = 10 yds, two branches = 8 yds each. 4 players per Y-station (A at the base, B at the fork, C at each branch end).

   How to run it: A plays to B. B plays back to A (wall pass). As B plays back, C makes a diagonal run off one branch. A immediately plays forward to C (the third man). C shoots or crosses. Run sequence 8 times, then switch which branch C runs from. After 6 min, add a passive defender following A to force A to play quickly.

   • ›Third-man run: C must start the run as B plays the return pass to A — not after A receives
   • ›A's head must be up during the wall pass — already looking for the third man's run
   • ›B: play the return pass with one touch — you're a relay, not a decision-maker in this moment
   • ›Timing over pace: a slow run at the right time beats a fast run at the wrong time

3. 3. Skill Game – Midfield Possession Circuits (5v3 Midfield Box)

   15m

   Set up: 30×20 yd midfield box. Two teams of 5, one playing 5v3 possession with 2 of their 5 resting outside the box.

   How to run it: 5 players vs 3 in the box. If the 5 complete 8 passes, the 2 resting players join for a 7v3 advantage — the 3 defenders must win the ball and play it out to score. Every time the defenders win, they swap with 2 of the possession players. Award 1 point per 8-pass sequence. Play 12 min.

   • ›Pivot player: drop between the lines, be available at all times, and play quickly
   • ›Circulation: use the ball-far player — they always have the most time
   • ›Defenders: pick the strongest passing lane to block first, not the player on the ball

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Midfield Dominance

   20m

   Set up: Full pitch. Two teams of 7. Central midfield zone (20 yds wide, full pitch length) is a +1 zone: the team with more midfielders in this zone earns a bonus pass before their opponent can press.

   How to run it: Normal game, but teams fight for numerical superiority in the midfield zone. A bonus pass in the midfield zone means the opponent must give 2 yds of space for that pass only. Coach tracks which team consistently controls the central zone. After 12 min, remove the rule and allow normal pressing.

   • ›Winning the midfield means controlling the game — this is why clubs spend millions on midfielders
   • ›Box-to-box midfielder: track back when you lose the ball, push forward when you win it
   • ›Don't crowd the zone — 3 in the midfield zone is enough; the 4th is in the way

5. 5. Scrimmage – Midfield Emphasis

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, normal rules, both GKs.

   How to run it: Free play. Coach gives one midfielder from each team a specific challenge: 'How many third-man runs can you unlock this half?' Player tracks their own count. Announce the result at full-time.

   • ›A great midfielder makes the players around them better — that's today's homework
   • ›Ball circulation isn't about keeping the ball — it's about finding the gap to attack through

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Players in a circle.

   How to run it: Static stretching: thoracic rotation stretch (hands behind head, rotate while seated), hip flexor lunge, quad stretch. Coach asks: 'What is a third-man run, and why does it work?' Players answer. End with: 'The best teams in the world score most of their goals through midfield combinations.'

   • ›A third-man run works because the defence has already committed to the first two players
   • ›Midfield is where games are won — be willing to work harder than anyone else in that zone

Outcomes

• ✓Players can shift the ball quickly from one side of the pitch to create a 2v1 overload
• ✓Players can identify when a numerical overload exists and exploit it within 3 touches
• ✓Players can maintain possession through the midfield for 6+ passes before attacking
• ✓Players can recycle possession intelligently when the forward option is closed

Equipment

• 8 balls
• 25 cones
• 10 pinnies
• 2 full-size goals

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & FIFA 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch. Players in groups of 3, working across the width.

   How to run it: Groups of 3 pass in a triangle moving forward across the pitch. Every 10 yds, the player without the ball makes a curved run to a new position. At the halfway line, perform FIFA 11+ balance circuit: single-leg balance pass (stand on one leg, pass and receive), lateral hops, and slow-motion lunge walks. Return to the other end with a high-pace 3-man weave.

   • ›Curved run: arrive in a new position without disrupting the triangle shape
   • ›3-man weave: the person who passes goes behind the receiver — keep tempo high
   • ›Balance pass: the standing leg is the one that earns you stability in 1v1 duels

2. 2. Technical Practice – Overload Switching Drill

   15m

   Set up: 40×30 yd grid divided in half. Left half: 4 possession players vs 3 defenders. Right half: 2 possession players waiting.

   How to run it: 4 vs 3 in the left half. When the 4 feel pressure, they switch the ball to the 2 waiting in the right half — suddenly it's 2v0. The 3 defenders must recover to the right half. As they recover, the 2 right-side players have a free touch before the defenders arrive. Points for switching successfully. After 6 min, add a defender who stays in the right half — now it's 2v1 on the switch.

   • ›Switch trigger: when 3 defenders are on your side and only 2 players on the other side
   • ›Switch ball: play it with pace and accuracy — a lazy switch gives the defence time to recover
   • ›Receiving the switch: first touch into space, second touch forward

3. 3. Phase Game – Overload Attack (7v5)

   15m

   Set up: Full attacking half. 7 attackers (one neutral) vs 5 defenders. Full-size goal.

   How to run it: 7 attackers keep possession and attack a 5-man defensive block. They must use at least one switch of play per sequence before shooting. The neutral player is only available in the midfield zone. Goals after a switch count double. If defenders win the ball, they play to a target in the defensive half — that also scores 1 point.

   • ›Overload advantage: find the 2v1 before it disappears — the defence constantly adjusts
   • ›Don't rush the overload — patient circulation forces defenders to shift, creating the gap
   • ›Neutral player: drop to receive and distribute, never hold the ball for more than 2 touches

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Ball Circulation First

   20m

   Set up: Full pitch. Two teams of 8. A goal counts only after 5 consecutive passes in the team's own half first.

   How to run it: Teams must complete 5 passes in their own half before being allowed to attack. This forces circulation and shape in the first phase of possession. After 12 min, reduce to 3 passes and then free play for the final 5 min. Track goals and count the number of attacks that started from 5 passes in their own half.

   • ›Building from the back creates the shape that enables the overload in the midfield
   • ›5 passes in your own half isn't parking the bus — it's setting up the attack
   • ›Tempo: the 5 passes should be fast — this isn't slow, methodical play

5. 5. Scrimmage – Free Play

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, normal rules, both GKs.

   How to run it: Free scrimmage. Coach observes without intervening. After the game, ask players: 'What moment in the game did your team have the best overload? Did you exploit it?' Discussion for 2 min.

   • ›Overloads happen in every game — the question is whether you see them and act on them
   • ›Ball circulation creates overloads — this is the core of our game model

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Players lying on the pitch for a proper cool-down.

   How to run it: Guided progressive muscle relaxation: tense and release quads, hamstrings, calves. 30-second static holds for hamstring, hip flexor, quad. Coach reflects on weeks 5–6: 'We have wide play, we have the midfield engine, we have ball circulation. What's next week's challenge?'

   • ›Recovery is as important as training — tonight, sleep well and eat quality food
   • ›This squad is building a real game model — be proud of the work you're doing