GLOBAL PREMIER
SOCCER
GPS Coach Library
Possession Games
GPS CURRICULUM METHODOLOGY
U4 - U8
JUNIORS
U9-U12
JUNIOR PREMIER
U13-U18
PREMIER
18+
PREMIER
Player Evaluation & Assessment
FUN-DAMENTAL
PRACTICE TO
DEVELOP
PRACTICE TO
COMPETE
PRACTICE TO
WIN
AIM:
To allow players of all ages and abilities, to develop to their full potential, in an ENJOYABLE, CHALLENGING and POSITIVE environment.
OBJECTIVES:
• Create a clear and simple pathway for player development.
•
Always keep the player at the centre of the development process.
•
Allow players as much active time with a ball each as possible. •
•
Teach the principles of the game.
Teach “roles” not “positions”.
Acknowledge that players will learn and develop at different speeds.
•
To keep a fresh and current outlook on the changes in young player development.
•
Create a deep and underlying passion for the sport of soccer at all ages.
•
SCORE METHODOLOGY
GPS recommends that all practice sessions follow the S.C.O.R.E. method:
SIMPLE. Stick to one theme during your practice session. Choose 2 or 3 core coaching points and reinforce them throughout the session.
CHALLENGING. Ensure that the players are posed problems that they need to find solutions to. Provide guidance and help when they
need it.
ORGANISED. Plan every detail of your session - how many players, space and equipment. Ensure that your sessions have the
appropriate pace and progression to challenge all of your players.
RELEVANT. Ensure that the exercises in your session are relevant to the game.
ENJOYABLE. The players should walk away from every practice having thoroughly enjoyed the session and learning at least one new aspect of the game.
1
Small sided possession with support players
Field Size
20x20 grid
Set up
2 teams- 3v3/4v4 in the centre of the grid with support players
on the outside. Support players can only play for their colour
in possession- 6v3. Support players cannot pass to another
support player to force them to link the play through the
centre. Keep the tempo of the play high by playing for 1min
30seconds/2mins then rotating with support players.
Progression
Two/three touch maximum
Interchange with support player if you play out.
Coaching Points
All players should be constantly scanning, assessing what is
around them to allow them to make their decisions quickly.
Support players should support the player on the ball as
much as possible by moving around the outside of the grid
creating an angle and an option for the pass. Players in the
centre should work to create space and lose their marker to be
available to receive the pass. Players should assess where the
options are- if there is options short then you can give an option to switch the play. If there is no available option close to
the ball then players must drop short to create that option into
feet. If there is an option close to the ball that is not available
to receive due to close pressure from the defender, then they
should spin away to create space for themselves or for another
player to exploit.
This game can also be used to work on rotational movement
and/or the midfield 3.
1
5+2v4 Two Type Possession Game
Field Size
20x20 grid.
Set up
Red team start in possession- 5 on outside of grid and
two in centre. Red team try to maintain possession 7v4
(whites). If the whites recover possession they play 4v2
inside the grid. Rotate players on outside with central
players and rotate 4 defenders inside grid every 2 minutes.
Progression
Two touch maximum.
When reds have possession a centre player must link the
play every 3 passes.
Coaching Points
Patience in possession if cannot play through gate keep it
until a run is available.
All players should be constantly scanning, assessing what
is around them to allow them to make their decisions
quickly. Players should work to create space and lose
their marker to be available to receive the pass. Support
players should be moving to create angles on the outside
and creating options for the player on the ball.
1
Small sided possession with support players on diagonals
Field Size
20x20 grid
Set up
2 teams- 3v3/4v4 in the centre of the grid with support players
on the diagonals. Support players can only play for their colour
in possession- 6v3. Support players cannot pass to another
support player to force them to link the play through the
centre. Keep the tempo of the play high by playing for 1min
30seconds/2mins then rotating with support players. Teams
score a point by playing from one corner through all three
central players and switching out through far side.
Progression
Two/three touch maximum
Interchange with support player if you play out.
Coaching Points
All players should be constantly scanning, assessing what is
around them to allow them to make their decisions quickly.
Support players should support the player on the ball as
much as possible by moving around the outside of the grid
creating an angle and an option for the pass. Players in the
centre should work to create space and lose their marker to be
available to receive the pass. Players should assess where the
options are- if there is options short then you can give an option to switch the play. If there is no available option close to
the ball then players must drop short to create that option into
feet. If there is an option close to the ball that is not available
to receive due to close pressure from the defender, then they
should spin away to create space for themselves or for another
player to exploit.
This game can also be used to work on rotational movement
and/or the midfield 3. The diagonal support players act as a
centre back and centre forward. Or two full-backs/wide forwards and relate movement to these areas on the field. ie
when full-back has possession or centre-back/centre-forward.
1
Possession to Breakout on goal
Field Size
25x25 grid positioned centrally and 20 yards from
goal.
Set up
After the team in possession, 7v3, complete 5 passes
they can play a through ball to either wide player or
centre forward(support players) who will break into
final third. Two centre midfielders will break out into
the area to finish off on goal from the cross ball.
Progression
Force a combination in the centre of the grid or in
final third- e.g. 1-2 or overlap
Allow to defenders to track back with the runs of the
centre midfielders.
Start with a centre-back (defending team) inside the
box to defend the cross balls and a CF in attacking
team.
Cannot pass immediately back to the player you received from- forcing the receiving player to constantly
change the point of attack and play away from pressure. This also forces good awareness to allow you to
make decisions quickly.
Two touch maximum.
Coaching Points
All players should be constantly scanning, assessing
what is around them to allow them to make their
decisions quickly. Players in the centre should work to
create space and lose their marker to be available to
receive the pass. Support players should be moving to
create angles on the outside and creating options for
the player on the ball. Time runs into the box to attack
cross balls. Quality/type of cross balls into the box.
1
Transitional Play- Back to back grids
Field Size
2-20x20 grids
Set up
3v3 with 3 support each colour. 6v3 when in possession.
Once the defenders recover the ball or possession is lost
the other team must switch the ball into their grid and
support the new ball carrier quickly. This forces quick
transition from defence to attack and quick support for
the ball carrier. Rotate support players every 1minute 30
for quick tempo or 3minutes to work endurance.
Progression
Three touch play
Two touch play
Cannot pass immediately back to the player you received
from- forcing the receiving player to constantly change
the point of attack and play away from pressure. This also
forces good awareness to allow you to make decisions
quickly.
Coaching Points
All players should be constantly scanning, assessing what
is around them to allow them to make their decisions
quickly. Players in the centre should work to create space
and lose their marker to be available to receive the pass.
Players should assess where the options are- if there is
options short then you can give an option to switch the
play. If there is no available option close to the ball then
players must drop short to create that option into feet.
If there is an option close to the ball that is not available
to receive due to close pressure from the defender, then
they should spin away to create space for themselves or
for another player to exploit. Support players should be
moving to create angles on the outside and creating options for the player on the ball.
1
4v2+4v2 Possession
Field Size
2-20x20 grids with a 5 yard space in between
Set up
Three teams of 4/5. 4v2 in starting grid with the two extra
defenders in the middle zone. Red team maintain possession until they create an opening to switch the play
into the far grid. As soon as a white player receives the
two defenders may enter. At this stage the two defenders
from the red grid must leave and enter the middle zone.
Change defending team every 1minute 30seconds.
Progression
If you lose possession you become defending team
Defenders may enter as soon as the pass is played- pressure on the first touch of attacker.
Three touch play
Two touch play
Cannot pass immediately back to the player you received
from- forcing the receiving player to constantly change
the point of attack and play away from pressure. This also
forces good awareness to allow you to make decisions
quickly.
Coaching Points
All players should be constantly scanning, assessing what
is around them to allow them to make their decisions
quickly. Players in the centre should work to create space
and lose their marker to be available to receive the pass.
Players should assess where the options are- if there is
options short then you can give an option to switch the
play. If there is no available option close to the ball then
players must drop short to create that option into feet.
If there is an option close to the ball that is not available
to receive due to close pressure from the defender, then
they should spin away to create space for themselves or
for another player to exploit.
1
Overload in possession
Field Size
35x35 grid
Set up
6v6/7v7 +1/2 neutral players to give an overload to the
team in possession. Everyone is inside the grid (no support players).
Reduce size of areas to increase tempo and reduce space.
Short periods of time for higher tempo with rest periods.
Longer periods to work on patience in possession/endurance.
Progression
Three touch
Two touch
Coaching Points
All players should be constantly scanning, assessing what
is around them to allow them to make their decisions
quickly. Players should work to create space and lose
their marker to be available to receive the pass. Support
players should be moving to create angles on the outside
and creating options for the player on the ball.
1
Four Gates with Middle Zone
Field Size
40x40 grid with 5x5 central grid.
Set up
6v6/7v7 +1/2 neutral players to give an overload to the
team in possession. Everyone is inside the grid (no support players). Teams score by passing through either of
the two gates. Middle Zone can also be used to force
width and depthand patience in build-up. Passes/ players cannot go through the middle zone. Two gates force
switch of play if defenders are covering one gate.
Progression
Must dribble through the gates- no passing from further
away.
Put one centre midfielder/neutral inside middle zone to
force team in possession to link the play through.
Two touch maximum.
Coaching Points
Patience in possession if one gate is blocked look to
switch to far side to score or if not possible then play
back and maintain possession.
All players should be constantly scanning, assessing what
is around them to allow them to make their decisions
quickly. Players should work to create space and lose
their marker to be available to receive the pass. Support
players should be moving to create angles on the outside
and creating options for the player on the ball.
1
Five Gates
Field Size
45x45 grid with 5 three yard gates.
Set up
6v6/7v7 +1/2 neutral players to give an overload to
the team in possession. Everyone is inside the grid (no
support players). Teams score a point by playing a pass
through a gate to a team mate.
Progression
Two touch maximum.
Players cannot receive a pass through a gate if standing
static- they must time run/pass to receive on the move.
Coaching Points
Patience in possession if cannot play through gate keep it
until a run is available.
All players should be constantly scanning, assessing what
is around them to allow them to make their decisions
quickly. Players should work to create space and lose
their marker to be available to receive the pass. Support
players should be moving to create angles on the outside
and creating options for the player on the ball.
1
End Zones
Field Size
35x35 grid with 5yard end zones.
Set up
6v6/7v7 +1/2 neutral players to give an overload to
the team in possession. Everyone is inside the grid (no
support players). Teams score by playing a pass into the
end zone for a player to run onto from the grid. Players
cannot stand static inside the end zone and receive the
pass. This works on timing of run/pass. Teams can score a
point into either end zone- multi directional.
Progression
Two touch maximum.
Play attack and defend one end zone- one direction.
Coaching Points
Patience in possession if cannot play a through ball keep
it until a run is available.
All players should be constantly scanning, assessing what
is around them to allow them to make their decisions
quickly. Players should work to create space and lose
their marker to be available to receive the pass. Support
players should be moving to create angles on the outside
and creating options for the player on the ball.
1
Three Color Possession
Field Size
35x35 grid- 9players
40x40- 12 players
45x45- 15 players
Set up
9 players split into 3 teams of 3. One team is defending
the other two are in possession. If a team passes the ball
out of play or the defending team recover possession
they become the defenders.
Progression
Three touch play
Two touch play
Cannot pass immediately back to the player you received
from- forcing the receiving player to constantly change
the point of attack and play away from pressure. This also
forces good awareness to allow you to make decisions
quickly.
Coaching Points
All players should be constantly scanning, assessing what
is around them to allow them to make their decisions
quickly. Support players should support the player on the
ball as much as possible by moving around the outside
of the grid creating an angle and an option for the pass.
Players in the centre should work to create space and lose
their marker to be available to receive the pass. Players
should assess where the options are- if there is options
short then you can give an option to switch the play. If
there is no available option close to the ball then players
must drop short to create that option into feet. If there is
an option close to the ball that is not available to receive due to close pressure from the defender, then they
should spin away to create space for themselves or for
another player to exploit.
1
Four Color Possession
Field Size
40x40- 12 players
45x45- 16 players
Set up
16 players split into 4 teams of 4. Two of the teams pair
together. Two teams defend the other two are in possession. If a team passes the ball out of play or the defending
team recover possession both teams become the defenders. In the diagram below red and white play together
and green and yellow together. When in possession you
can only pass to the opposite color in your team. ie yellow to green, green to yellow.
Progression
Three touch play
Two touch play
Cannot pass immediately back to the player you received
from- forcing the receiving player to constantly change
the point of attack and play away from pressure. This also
forces good awareness to allow you to make decisions
quickly.
Coaching Points
All players should be constantly scanning, assessing what
is around them to allow them to make their decisions
quickly. Players in the centre should work to create space
and lose their marker to be available to receive the pass.
Players should assess where the options are- if there is
options short then you can give an option to switch the
play. If there is no available option close to the ball then
players must drop short to create that option into feet.
If there is an option close to the ball that is not available
to receive due to close pressure from the defender, then
they should spin away to create space for themselves or
for another player to exploit.
1