Exercise 1: What's On

Organization: In an area from the top of the 18 to midfield, randomly place small goals with cones (5 yards wide) as well as other small goals made with flags. Place so that they are staggered throughout the area. Play 6 v.6 (can adjust size and numbers).

Phase 1: Have each team with two balls passing back and forth among them. Have players look to play passes through the flag goals while dribbling through the cone goals. Make sure players are aware of what is on in that part of the field--pass or dribble.

Phase 2: Play 6 v.6 with teams scoring by successfully passng through flag goals and dribbling through cone goals. Vision and communication is key so that players recognize when to take space with dribble or the pass.

Coach can set restrictions:

• You can't go back through the same goal you just scored on.
• You must alternate between pass goal and dribble goal.

Exercise 2: Box Game

Organization: Use 18 yard box (18x44). Place two five yard square boxes at oppostite ends of penalty area approximately 30 yards apart. Play 4 v.4 (can adjust playing areas and numbers).

Phase 1: Play 3 v.3 with a teammate acting as a target goal in the five-yard box that you are facing. Look for quick combinations to find the target player. When the ball is played into the target player, they must one-touch it to a teammate to score a goal. When that happens, the target player sprints to the opposite box and their team then attacks in the other direction. Opposing target player must exchange boxes as well. Vision, passing and movement off the ball is the key to be successful.

Phase 2: Same set-up, but when is successfully played to the target and one-touched to a teammate, any field player from that team can fill the opposite box. The target player from the team not scoring must switch boxes by sprinting to the opposite box. This encourages teams to counter quickly and play forward safely. Teammates must be aware of who can fill the box to take advantage of the counter. On the defensive side, immediate pressure is the key to denying the counter.