POSSESSION TO

PENETRATE
AG E P H AS E : U 1 7 +
P R O COAC H S E R I E S G A RY C A L DW E L L SESSION PLAN
SESSION OVERVIEW POSSESSION TO PENETRATE

LEVEL PART 3: KEY

OPPOSED POSSESSION PRACTICE (2)
• U17s - First Team Ball movement
• This is an 8v8 possession practice with targets
positioned to encourage switches of play. Player movement
SESSION OBJECTIVES without the ball

To develop a team’s understanding of attacking principles PART 4: Player movement

through emphasising: 10V8 UNOPPOSED/OPPOSED with the ball
• Quick combination play to draw the opposition ATTACKING SHAPE WORK
out of position before playing switches of play.
• Creating wide 2v1s following switches of play. • This practice develops team-based, specific attacking
• Individual receiving skill detail. principles through unopposed pattern-of-play work
Players
leading to an opposed 10v8 situation.

PART 1:
UNOPPOSED PASSING PRACTICE Cones

• Three groups of six players passing in teams. They must

Flat marker
negotiate the ‘chaos’ of a busy area while adhering to a
number of conditions placed upon them by the coach.

Cones with
PART 2: flat marker
OPPOSED POSSESSION PRACTICE (1)
• Two even-numbered teams compete for possession Goal
with two, three or four neutral players that help create
attacking overloads. The playing area is split into six
squares that are used as reference points to encourage Mini-goal
the side with the ball to use quick combinations or
switches of play to play through or round the opponent.

Mannequin Pole

Football

P R O COAC H S E R I E S G A RY C A L DW E L L AGE PHASE: U17 +

UNOPPOSED PASSING & RECEIVING PRACTICE POSSESSION TO PENETRATE

FUNCTION
1
• In this extension of a warm-up, three teams of six C
players (numbered 1-6) with a ball per team pass the
ball between players. They are encouraged to spread C
themselves across the entire playing area, being mindful B
of the need to avoid the other two balls in the practice. C A B
• In the first progression of the practice, tell the players A
to create angles for passes. B C A
• In the next progression, constrain players to only be
able to receive the ball on an angle at least one box B A
away from the passer of the ball. In diagram 1, the pass
B
played between two players on Team B is such an C
example.
A C A
• As a third progression, the players must pass the ball
in sequential order (1-6). As the ball travels from one B
player to another e.g. from player 1 to player 2, the
next player in the sequence - player 3 in this instance -
should put their hands up to identify themselves. At this
point, the conditions placed on the players in the first
two progressions remain in place. 2
• Finally, as shown in diagram 2, a second ball is added C6
C5
for each of the three teams. At this point, players are
still required to play in sequential order as the ball is C2 B A
transferred from one player to another.
B
A B
C4 A
B A C3
B

A C1 A
B

P R O COAC H S E R I E S G A RY C A L DW E L L AGE PHASE: U17 +

UNOPPOSED PASSING & RECEIVING PRACTICE POSSESSION TO PENETRATE

COACHING DETAIL: IN-POSSESSION

PULLING AWAY FROM THE BALL
• As the practice moves through its second progression,
players should be encouraged to ‘pull away from the
ball’ on an angle. This encourages players to receive
passes that ‘open the game’.

AWARENESS
• Players should be aware of the ‘chaos’ in the practice
caused by the presence of three balls and 18 players.
They should scan the area to ensure that they do not
collide with other players or either of the balls used by
the other teams.

DETAILED PASSING
• The passes played from one player to another should
be precise and provide the receiving player with
information. For example, a firm pass played to the back
foot of the receiving player would suggest that they
should ‘half turn’ and ‘play away from trouble’.

OPEN BODY SHAPE

• Players should try to adopt an open body shape that
allows them to ‘play away from trouble’ on receiving the
ball where possible.

P R O COAC H S E R I E S G A RY C A L DW E L L AGE PHASE: U17 +

OPPOSED POSSESSION GAME (1) POSSESSION TO PENETRATE

C
FUNCTION
1
• This is a 7v7 possession practice in which there are two B
neutral players that play for the team in-possession of B
the ball, creating a 9v7.
• The playing are is split into six squares. The aim of C
the game is for the team in possession to reach ten A
consecutive passes. They can only play a maximum of
three passes in each square. B A
• The two neutral players must not occupy the same B
B
square at the same time. A
A
B
A C
MAKING IT EASIER A A
• The number of neutral players can be doubled from B
two to four to make the practice easier if necessary;
this provides the in-possession team with a four-player
overload, as shown in diagram 2. C

B B
A
A C C

B
A
B A B

A
C B C
A

P R O COAC H S E R I E S G A RY C A L DW E L L AGE PHASE: U17 +

OPPOSED POSSESSION GAME (1) POSSESSION TO PENETRATE

COACHING DETAIL: IN-POSSESSION COACHING DETAIL: IN-TRANSITION

PLAYING OVER AGGRESSIVE DEFENSIVE TRANSITION
• Players should be encouraged to play ‘over’ the • When possession is lost, teams should attempt to win
opposition as well as ‘through’ them. This means using the ball back immediately to prevent the opposition
longer, lofted passes to switch play. from establishing comfortable possession. This involves
applying aggressive pressure on the ball and trying to
PATIENCE prevent a switch in play.
• Players should be encouraged to remain patient in
possession and avoid ‘forcing’ passes that are too risky OPENING THE PITCH
and may be intercepted by the opposition. • Having won possession, teams should be encouraged
to ‘open the pitch up’ as quickly as possible by spacing
CREATING AND USING OVERLOADS themselves across the playing area: as a guideline,
• Players should aim to create ‘numerical overloads’ in the players could be encouraged to occupy each one of the
square where the ball is positioned. Using this overload, six squares.
they should attempt to play quick combinations,
leading to switches of play that move the ball to the
opposition’s ‘weak side’.

FINDING THE ‘RELEASE PASS’

• There should be a focus on the in-possession team
using their attacking overload to draw the opposition
in through quick, short passes. With the opposition
defenders close by, the team in possession should then
try to find a ‘release pass’ that is played through the
pressing players. This will move the ball from an area of
high pressure to a player in space.

P R O COAC H S E R I E S G A RY C A L DW E L L AGE PHASE: U17 +

OPPOSED POSSESSION GAME (2) POSSESSION TO PENETRATE

FUNCTION 1
GK
• This directional possession practice involves two teams
of eight players attempting to score points by dribbling
the ball through one of three gates they are attacking.
B
• The opposition goalkeeper (GK) defends all three
gates and must try to anticipate the direction of the A
A A A
opposition attacks.
• Diagram 1 shows a pattern of play that leads to team B B
B A
B scoring a goal using a switch of play and a wide 2v1 A
overload. A A
B B
A
B B
PROGRESSION 1
GK
• To progress the practice, introduce a rule that give
the in-possession team the opportunity to score by
stringing together ten consecutive passes (while still
being able to score in each of the three opposition
gates). This forces the defensive team to apply earlier,
more aggressive pressure on the team with the ball. 2
GK

PROGRESSION 2
B A
• Permit players to score using a pass as well as by B A
dribbling the ball through the gates. This is shown in A B
diagram 2. B A
B B
A
B A B A

A
B

GK

P R O COAC H S E R I E S G A RY C A L DW E L L AGE PHASE: U17 +

OPPOSED POSSESSION GAME (2) POSSESSION TO PENETRATE

COACHING DETAIL: IN-POSSESSION

FIND THE 2v1
• The in-possession team should attempt to use quick
switches of play to establish 2v1 overloads in wide
areas. This is achieved with quick combination play and
accurate longer passes.

USING THE 2v1

• When a wide 2v1 is created, the player in possession
of the ball should ‘drive’ with the ball, commit the
defender and then play a well-weighted pass to the
second attacker in order to free him to dribble through
a gate.

PATIENT ATTACKS
• The in-possession team should attempt to control
possession with low-risk passes in an attempt to draw
the opposition towards them before quickly playing
through or over them to an area where there is less
defensive cover.

PASS OR DRIBBLE?
• Players should be encouraged to make appropriate
decisions as to when to pass and when to dribble.
Quick switches of play require players to take as few
touches as possible and identify passes early, before
playing passes with pace and precision. There will also
be points in the final third when players will be need
to show creativity and the ability to dribble and beat
defenders.

P R O COAC H S E R I E S G A RY C A L DW E L L AGE PHASE: U17 +

10V8 UNOPPOSED/OPPOSED ATTACKING SHAPE WORK POSSESSION TO PENETRATE

FUNCTION 1
3
2
• In the first phase of this practice, two teams – one of 10
and one of eight – have a ball each that is served in by
HALF SPACE
their respective goalkeepers. 7 11
• On the coach’s whistle, both teams are permitted to 6
score. Up until that point the ball should be moved from 4
5 8
player to player across the pitch.
• The pitch is split into five channels, two of which (those 10 9
immediately to either side of the middle channel) are 4
labelled the half-spaces. This is shown in diagram 1. 6
• The team of 10 players are the coaching focus in the 5
8
practice and their periods of play represent intricate 11 HALF SPACE
7
phases of possession.
• The team of eight simulate a counter-attack on the
coach’s whistle. Before the whistle, their play should 2 3
take place in their own half.
• As the practice develops, encourage the team of 10 to
play to their number 9, who is positioned in the central
channel, before scoring.
2
3
PROGRESSION
HALF SPACE
• The practice moves on to become opposed, with the 7 11
2
team of 10 facing the team of eight.
• Diagram 2 shows the team of 10 using a switch of play
and a wide 2v1 overload (with number 7 positioned in 4 8 6
5
the half-space) to break down the opposition defence. 10 9
4
• Should the team of eight win possession they should
attempt to counter-attack quickly.
5
6 8
11 7 HALF SPACE

3
2

P R O COAC H S E R I E S G A RY C A L DW E L L AGE PHASE: U17 +

10V8 UNOPPOSED/OPPOSED ATTACKING SHAPE WORK POSSESSION TO PENETRATE

COACHING DETAIL: IN-POSSESSION COACHING DETAIL: IN-TRANSITION

OCCUPYING THE HALF SPACES QUICK COUNTER ATTACKS
• The team of 10 should aim to occupy both ‘half spaces’ • The team of eight should be encouraged throughout
at all times. This is useful in creating wide 2v1 overloads. both the opposed and unopposed parts of the
For example, if the ball is switched to the number 7 – a practice to attack at speed. They should run forward
winger who has moved into the half-space – the full- aggressively and try to capitalise on any space with
back on his side (number 2) should be positioned in the quick forward passes or individual dribbles.
outside channel, ready to provide an overlapping run.

DEFENSIVE BALANCE
• With the full-backs given licence to attack the two
central midfield players (4 & 8) on the eam of 10 should
be conscious of the need to guard against counter-
attacks.

PULLING AWAY FROM THE BALL

• Central players should be encouraged to ‘pull away
from the ball’ on an angle. This encourages players to
receive passes that ‘open the game’ and can lead to a
switch of play.

WIDE PLAYERS ‘INSIDE THE GAME’

• Should the ball be played into the 9, the wide players
for the team of 10 should be ‘inside the game’, close
enough to the 9 to make dangerous runs between an
opposition full-back and centre-back.

P R O COAC H S E R I E S G A RY C A L DW E L L AGE PHASE: U17 +