FineSoccer Drill 96

The game is a great way to work on getting your outside backs into the attack as well as emphasizing the importance of the center mids making themselves available at all times.

Start with a field that is 60 x 44 (which is half the length of a full sized field and the width of the 18 yard box) with full sized goals on each end.  Put a 20 x 20 box in the middle of this field.  I am going to set this up with the assumption that you play a 4-4-2 but it could be adapted for your teams formation.

Have four players in each back third of the field, two players from each team in the middle 20x20 box and 2 players upfront for each team. Plus put a keeper in each goal. See set up below

The rules are that the 2 center players for each team must stay in the middle area. The two forwards for each team must stay up front. The outside backs are allowed to go forward which encourages them to get into the attack and make early serves. The forwards on the defending team are allowed to go back and defend IF an outside back goes forward.  Another rule is that a team can't go to goal until a center midfielder has touched the ball (it can either come from the back or be played back from a forward).

This game works on runs from the forwards, backs defending, forwards defending, midfielders showing for the ball, backs going forward, shots, goalkeeping, combination play and much, much  more. Deviations are easy to make by changing formations, or the size of the box in the middle.

Give this a try and let me know what you think on the NEW FineSoccer Forum.

Have a great day!

Lawrence