Three-Corridor Possession with Neutrals
5v5 keep-ball with three neutrals, one in each corridor. Each team keeps a player in both wide corridors; getting the ball from one wide corridor to the other scores a point.
- Age
- U11–U16
- Players
- 11–15
- Duration
- 16 min
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 36 × 30 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Positional game
- Objectives
- Technical: Passing
- Tactical: Ball possession, Switching play
- Concepts worked on
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Neutral / support
- Pass
- Ball
- Cone
An easier version of three-corridor possession for younger players or as a first session with the rule. The three neutrals give the team in possession an 8v5 and a safe pass in every corridor, so players can focus on the main idea: keep someone wide on each side and move the ball from one side to the other.
Objective
Learn to keep the pitch wide in possession and to use the central corridor to move the ball to the free side.
Organisation
- 36 × 30 m area split lengthways into three 10 m corridors: two wide and one central.
- Two teams of five (four to six) and three neutrals in a different colour, one in each corridor.
- Neutrals stay in their corridor; the other players move freely.
How it works
- The neutrals play with the team in possession (8v5).
- Each team must always have at least one player in each wide corridor.
- Point when the ball goes from one wide corridor to the other without the opponents touching it. A pass from a neutral counts.
- Neutrals play with a maximum of two touches and cannot pass to each other.
- If the defending team wins the ball, it plays with the neutrals straight away. 4 × 3 minutes; change the neutrals after each set.
Coaching points
- Before receiving, check where the free side is.
- Use the central neutral to change sides: pass and offer yourself again.
- Wide players: stay open near the outside line, not next to the ball.
- Pass to the far foot of the receiver so they can play on with the second touch.
Progressions
- Only one neutral, in the central corridor.
- The pass from wide corridor to wide corridor must go through a player of the team, not a neutral.
Regressions
- Free touches for the neutrals.
- The defending team must also keep one player in each wide corridor, so the pressure is lower.
Variations
- When the group is ready, move on to three-corridor possession without neutrals.
Key principles
- Open the pitch.
- Look before receiving.
- Change sides through the middle.
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