For this week, we have prepared a training exercise that can be used to achieve the following objectives:
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improving football-specific physical conditioning;
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developing the ability to maintain possession under pressure;
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training finishing with shots on goal.
👥 Organization
The squad will be divided into four teams of 4 players each.
Approximately 40 meters from the goal, a rectangular playing area will be created where 4 vs 4 + 1 possession games will be played.
The +1 player is a neutral player, who can be one of the goalkeepers or an outfield player.
One team together with the neutral player will be positioned inside the playing area (blue team in the diagram).
The other teams will wait in the penalty area zone on the opposite side.
✅ Exercise description
The first team waiting in the penalty area zone (green team in the diagram) starts with a progressive run toward the playing area where the blue team is positioned.
Once they enter the area, a 4 vs 4 + 1 possession game begins.
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If the green team wins possession, two players are allowed to attack the big goal and try to score.
One blue defender will attempt to stop them. -
If the blue team completes 10 consecutive passes, two blue players attack the big goal to finish the action, while one green player tries to stop them.
🔄 Rotation
The teams rotate positions as follows:
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The green team remains in the possession area, waiting for the red team to arrive and start the next 4 vs 4 + 1 game.
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The blue team performs a light run back to the penalty area zone, where they wait for their turn.
🔄 Progression of the exercise
The progression keeps the main rules of the basic version, with the following modification:
When a team completes the required number of passes or wins possession, two players go to finish the attack, but their positions change:
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One player runs toward the corner area.
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The second player runs toward the penalty spot (11-meter area).
The player receiving the ball near the corner area delivers a cross for the player positioned at the penalty spot, who finishes the action.
🏆 Competition format
The exercise can also be organized as a competition, where each team keeps track of the number of goals scored.
