3 Team Possession
This passing drill is a highly competitive possession game in which players get to work on their passing and receiving skills, speed of play, decision making, team shape, and movement off the ball.
3 Team Possession – Passing Drill
Set Up The Drill
Set up a 30×30 yard grid using small cones. Place a pug goal centrally on each side of the grid (4 total). If you don’t have pug goals you can use tall cones. Have a supply of balls ready on the outside of the grid by the coach’s feet. You will also need bibs in three separate colors; one color for each of the teams.
Instructions
Split the players up into 3 teams and put them in pinnies. Designate two of the teams as ‘attacking teams’ and one of the teams as the ‘defending team’. To start the activity the coach plays the ball to one of the attacking teams. The two attacking teams work together to try to keep possession of the ball. The one defending team tries to win the ball back. They can score points in the following ways;
- 1 point if they force the attacking teams to misplace a pass and kick the ball out of bounds.
- 2 points if they can win the ball and score in any of the pug goals.
Once a goal is scored or the ball goes out of bounds the coach plays a new ball into one of the attacking teams and the game continues. Play for 3 minutes and then switch out the defending team. Then do the same again so the final team gets an opportunity to defend. Whichever team scores the most points when ‘defending’ wins the game.
Variation
You can also use this activity to focus on ‘pressing the ball.’ Coach the defending team to hunt as a pack, stay connected and look for visual cues to press with additional intensity.
Coaching Points
- Move the ball quickly, don’t let it get stuck under your feet.
- Keep your head up and be aware of what’s around you.
- If under high pressure, looks for opportunities to play out and switch the ball to a different side of the grid.
- Create positive angles of support and make yourself available for short and long passes.
