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Practice games

4v1 Passing Squares

Four players keep the ball from one defender in a corner, then pass to another team in another corner.

Practice 13 min 12 players Half pitch 2016 to 2017

Pass, Receive, Heads Up Lift each other

At a glance

  • 25 by 25 grid, a square in each corner. Four blue play 4v1 in a corner against one yellow, and the other yellows stand in the middle.
  • Four green split across the other three corners. Blue make 3 to 5 passes, then pass to a green in another corner.
  • The middle yellows try to block that pass. Then all of green run to that corner for 4v1 against the nearest yellow.
  • Blue split into the empty corners, and the old defender goes to the middle. Swap the defending team every 3 minutes.
  • Progress 1: A second yellow defender runs into the corner: 4 against 2.
  • Progress 2: Win it and swap: the defenders' team replaces the team that lost the ball.

If it's not working: Make the corner squares bigger so there is more room round the defender.

4v1 Passing Squares: set-up1231 three to five passes, 2 passto a new corner, 3 all run in25 m by 25 m
  • blue team
  • yellow team
  • green team
  • run
  • pass
  • 1in this order

A square in each corner of the grid and three teams of four. The blue team plays 4v1 in a corner against one yellow defender, and the other three yellows stand in the middle to block the long pass. The green team is split across the other three corners. After three to five passes the ball goes to a green player in another corner, all of the green team run in and play 4v1 there against the nearest yellow, and the blue team splits into the empty corners. Swap the defending team after three minutes.

Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks

Set up

  • Mark a 25 by 25 grid with a square in each corner.
  • One team (blue) plays 4v1 in a corner against one defender from the second team (yellow). The other three yellows stand in the middle. The third team (green) splits across the other three corners.

Balls, bibs and cones. A 25 by 25 grid with a 9 by 9 square in each corner. Three teams of four.

How to play

  • Blue make 3 to 5 passes, then pass to a green player in another corner. The yellows in the middle try to block that pass: if they do, give it back to blue.
  • All of the green team run into that corner to keep the ball against the nearest yellow, who runs in to defend.
  • Blue split into the empty corners and the old defender goes back to the middle. If the defender wins the ball they pass it straight back.
  • The yellow team defends for 3 minutes, then swap.

Make it easier

  • Make the corner squares bigger so there is more room round the defender.
  • The defender can block passes with their feet but cannot tackle.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. A second yellow defender runs into the corner: 4 against 2.
  2. Win it and swap: if the defending team wins the ball they swap roles with the team that gave it away.

Three things to say

  • Soft first touch.
  • Move so the passer can see you.
  • Look for the far corner before the ball comes.

Colts habit

Work hard: defenders close down for the full three minutes.

Both feet

Transfer passes with the practice foot for a bonus.

Heads up

Look for the free corner before the transfer.

Safety: Keep the area clear of bags and bottles. Stay on your feet, no slide tackles. No heading.

Keeping score: Passes in a row in your corner.