I have found these activities to be excellent ways to work on transition (both offensive and defensive) as well as attacking and defending.

The first way to do this is to start with three teams and a field broken into three parts, with the middle area smaller than the other two. The size of the field will depend on the numbers on each team, which can range from three per team all the way to eight. Start with one team in each of the three sections (see diagram).

Team A starts by attacking Goal 1, which is defended by Team B. If Team B wins the ball, Team A immediately tries to win the ball back while Team B tries to get into the middle part of the field. If Team B gets into the center of the field, it then reorganizes and attacks Goal 2 (defended by Team C) while Team A rests. If Team B scores in Goal 2, it gets the ball back and tries to work out of the back to attack Goal 1, now defended by Team A.

The reason this is one of my favorite activities is that it encourages both offensive and defensive transition, which is a huge part of the game. At the same time, every other facet of the game is worked on as well. Plus if done properly, it is an excellent way to work on conditioning.

To make drill this even more realistic, eliminate the middle portion of the field. Everything else stays the same, except there now is no safe zone where a group can have time to reorganize. As soon as a team gets out of its defensive half of the field, it automatically is being pressured by the third team, so the need to have an organized attack becomes vital. I strongly recommend doing this activity with three zones before trying it with two, otherwise it is an extremely complicated activity.

Editor's Note: Lawrence Fine produces FineSoccer.com, an online resource for a variety of tips, ideas and newsletters related to soccer coaching. A member of the NSCAA Website Development Committee, Fine also serves as volunteer assistant coach for an NCAA Division I men's team.