Experimenting with positional freedom

Organisation

• Organise two teams of 5v5
• Two teams of three play in the middle and have to combine to pass to target players at both ends to score a point
• Change the target players every two minutes
• No problem if the teams have unequal numbers

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Give one team more players
• The players can throw and catch the ball to begin with

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Give one team fewer players
• Set a minimum number of passes in the middle before teams can pass to the support players

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you spread out as a team and try to use all the space available?
• Can you call for the ball?
• Can you try to find ways to intercept a pass to win the ball back for your team?

Safety tips

• If you start with throw and catch, players can only win the ball during this stage by intercepting passes
• Create a safe space to play

Organisation

• Organise teams with no more than six per team
• The players combine with team-mates and then shoot; the first player to score a goal each time wins a point for his/her team
• The players start each time when the coach says “go”
• Remind the players that they can also score from any rebounds
• Rotate the goalkeepers

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Start with no goalkeepers, so it’s a race to score into the open goal

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Increase the distance of the passes and from which shots are taken
• One player becomes a defender from each team
• Players have to shoot with their weaker foot only

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you choose the right type of shot depending on the goalkeeper’s position?
• Can you follow up your shot for any rebound opportunities?
• How does physical fitness help you play the game well? (E.g. being able to run fast or kick the ball hard.)
• How does mental fitness help you play the game well? (E.g. staying alert, concentration, coping with losing, remaining positive.)

Safety tips

• Create a safe space to play

Organisation

• Organise your players into two teams and create a pitch for 9v9
• Let the players play and encourage them to try different positions
• Let the players referee their own games

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Give a team one or more extra players if you have uneven numbers or a weaker team
• Use large goals

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Limit the number of touches
• Add conditions to the game – ways to score, for example (e.g. volleys only, one-touch finishes only, etc.)
• Give one team fewer players

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you organise yourselves into a formation outfield – for example, 3-3-2?
• Can you all play in at least two positions within the game?
• Can you choose a captain who is responsible for organising your team?
• How does physical fitness help you play the game well? (E.g. being able to run fast or kick the ball hard.)
• How does mental fitness help you play the game well? (E.g. staying alert, concentration, coping with losing, remaining positive.)

Safety tips

• Create a safe space to play