Possession game
5v2 Rondo with Split-Pass Bonus
Five players keep the ball against two defenders in a 12 × 12 m square. A pass between the two defenders is worth double.
- Age
- U11–Senior
- Players
- 7–14
- Duration
- 12 min
IntermediateGlobalRondos
42 exercises suitable for U17–U19 teams (Ages 16–18). Adapt the space and the number of touches to your group — every exercise lists regressions and progressions.
42 exercises
Possession game
Five players keep the ball against two defenders in a 12 × 12 m square. A pass between the two defenders is worth double.
IntermediateGlobalRondos
Positional game
Two teams of four keep the ball with the help of three neutral players — one at each end and one inside — creating a 7v4 for the team in possession.
IntermediateGlobalPossession
Circuit
A one-two with a wall player at the edge of the box, around a mannequin, followed by a first-time finish against a goalkeeper.
IntermediateIntermediateFinishing
Possession game
A 4v2 rondo in one grid; when the defenders win the ball they pass it into a second grid and the play flips — the new defenders must sprint across.
AdvancedGlobalRondos
Waves
Two attackers against one defender and a goalkeeper. The ball carrier must commit the defender, then decide: pass, or keep going and shoot.
BeginnerGlobal2v1
Match
4v4 with goalkeepers in a short pitch where players are encouraged to shoot early. Goals from their own half count double; every shot must be followed up.
BeginnerGlobalSmall-Sided Games
Football-adapted game
Pairs move around an area full of small cone gates and score a point every time they pass through one. A warm-up with hundreds of passes.
BeginnerAnalyticalWarm-Up
Match
4v4 to mini goals where a goal scored within six seconds of winning the ball counts triple, and winning the ball back within five seconds of losing it earns a point.
IntermediateGlobalTransition
Circuit
A Y-shaped passing pattern: pass into the striker, lay-off to a wide player, and a forward pass into the run of the first player — the third man.
IntermediateAnalyticalPassing
Waves
Three attackers attack two defenders. As soon as the attack ends, the two defenders counter-attack the other goal against the one attacker who took the shot.
IntermediateGlobalTransition
Waves
A winger dribbles down the line and crosses while three attackers attack the near post, the far post and the edge of the six-yard box — then the penalty spot.
IntermediateIntermediateFinishing
Positional game
5v5 where a team scores by receiving a pass inside the opponents' end zone. Players learn to combine possession with well-timed forward runs.
IntermediateGlobalPossession
Waves
Two players react to the coach's call, touch the called cone and race to a ball 8 m away. The first to the ball attacks; the other defends in a 1v1 to two mini goals.
BeginnerGlobalSpeed
Positional game
5v5 in three zones. Teams score by moving the ball from one end zone to a teammate in the opposite end zone — teaching when and how to switch play.
IntermediateGlobalPossession
Circuit
A striker receives with their back to goal, turns around a mannequin and shoots. A second server immediately plays a loose ball into the box to finish.
BeginnerIntermediateFinishing
Possession game
Two teams of four keep the ball together against a third team that presses for the whole round. The pressing team counts its recoveries; every team presses once.
IntermediateGlobalPossession
Possession game
Two teams in a 25 × 20 m area. The team with the ball counts its passes out loud; ten in a row scores a point. The classic keep-ball game.
BeginnerGlobalFun Games
Match
6v6 with goalkeepers and a neutral in each wide lane who always plays with the team in possession. Only the neutrals can use the lanes; goals from their crosses count double.
IntermediateGlobalSmall-Sided Games
Circuit
Ten movements over 15 m lanes — knee hugs, open and close the gate, lunges with rotation, skips — that prepare hips, knees and ankles in 10 minutes.
BeginnerAnalyticalMobility & Core
Possession game
6v6 keep-ball in two zones. Five passes in one zone followed by a switch to a teammate in the other zone scores a point; only four defenders may press in the ball zone.
IntermediateGlobalPossession
Positional game
A goalkeeper and five players try to build up and dribble through a gate, while four pressers wait for a trigger — a pass to the full-back, a back pass or a bad touch — to press together.
AdvancedGlobalTactical
Waves
An in-swinging corner to the near post, where a runner flicks the ball on to a teammate attacking the far post. Four players, four clear jobs.
IntermediateIntermediateSet Pieces
Possession game
5v5 keep-ball with two inside neutrals and a two-touch limit. Six passes score one point; a third-man combination through a neutral scores two.
AdvancedGlobalPossession
Match
Goalkeeper plus six against six on a 60 × 40 m pitch. The build-up team earns a point when a midfielder receives facing forward in the middle zone, then attacks the goal.
AdvancedGlobalTactical
Match
7v7 with goalkeepers on a pitch split into thirds: maximum two touches in your defensive third, three in the middle third and free touches in the final third.
IntermediateGlobalSmall-Sided Games
Circuit
A 10-minute cool-down: two minutes of easy jogging and seven static stretches for calves, quads, hamstrings, groin, hip flexors, glutes and lower back.
BeginnerAnalyticalStretching & Cool-Down
Possession game
Three teams of four in one square: two keep the ball (8v4) and the team whose player loses it becomes the defending team at once. Fewest turns defending wins.
AdvancedGlobalPossession
Football-adapted game
2v2 over a line of cones on a 12 × 6 m court: one bounce and up to three touches per team. Ball control and volleys at a low intensity.
IntermediateIntermediateFun Games
Positional game
2v2 in the middle with four wall players around the area. Teams score by getting the ball to the end player they attack; side wall players help whoever has the ball.
IntermediateGlobal2v2
Match
5v5 with goalkeepers where only shots from outside the marked box count. Only the goalkeeper may stay in the box, except to follow up a saved shot.
BeginnerGlobalSmall-Sided Games
Match
Match with goalkeepers where a goal only counts if it comes from a cross played from one of the two wide crossing zones. Headers and volleys count double.
IntermediateGlobalSmall-Sided Games
Circuit
A 12-minute warm-up block in pairs: planks, single-leg balance with passes, squats, Nordic hamstring curls and landing drills.
IntermediateAnalyticalMobility & Core
Waves
Five attackers move the ball across the pitch while a back four and goalkeeper shift together, keeping 8–10 m between defenders and protecting the goal.
AdvancedGlobalDefending
Possession game
4v4 keep-ball where every player has a direct opponent with the same number and can only tackle, or be tackled by, that player. Six passes score a point.
IntermediateGlobalPossession
Match
7v7 match with goalkeepers where defenders may not press inside the two wide channels. Attackers get time out wide; defenders must protect the box and defend the cross.
IntermediateGlobalSmall-Sided Games
Circuit
Six core stations — plank, side plank, dead bug, glute bridge, bird dog and sit-up with a throw-in — with 30 s of work each. Use it before the stretches.
BeginnerAnalyticalMobility & Core
Circuit
Eight minutes of slow mobility — world's greatest stretch, 90/90 hips, cat–cow, open book, child's pose — finished with one minute of box breathing.
BeginnerAnalyticalStretching & Cool-Down
Waves
Three zonal defenders protect the six-yard box while three man-markers follow the best headers. Corners and wide free kicks against a live attack.
AdvancedGlobalDefending
Match
A team match where blue defend in a compact 4-4 mid block and only press when a signal appears: a pass to the touchline, a back pass or a poor touch.
AdvancedGlobalTactical
Waves
4v3 from a throw-in. Nobody may wait in the zone in front of the thrower, so receivers take their marker away and come back to get the ball.
IntermediateGlobalSet Pieces
Possession game
7v7 keep-ball with a central neutral in a big area. To score, the team must string eight passes that use both halves; without the ball the team defends as a compact block.
AdvancedGlobalPossession
Circuit
Two servers shoot one after the other from different angles. The goalkeeper sets before each shot, saves, then gets up quickly to be set for the second.
IntermediateAnalyticalGoalkeeping