4 vs 2: Positive and negative transition

Goal:

Transition

Soccer Tactics

Equipment

Markers
Balls
5 vests (4 red and 1 yellow)

Preparation

Playing area: 35x15 meters
Players: 9
Duration: 18 minutes
Series: 2 series of 7 minutes with 2 minutes of passive recovery

4 vs 2: Positive and negative transition

Summary

Simplified game to train keeping and regaining possession, working on transition

Secondary Objectives

Creating space, Possession, Passing, Intercepting, Tackling, Pass, Intercepting, Tackling, Mobility, Ball possession, Transitions

Organization

Divide the 35x15 meters area into 3 adjacent zones. The internal zones (blue in the figure) 15x15 meters sized and the central zone (red) 5x15 meters sized. Inside an external zone 4 red players start playing vs 2 white players. 2 white players stay inside the other external zone. A neutral player stays inside the central zone. Ball to the red team.

Description

On coach starting signal the red players start passing the ball to maintain possession as long as possible without getting intercepted by the white players
The team possessing the ball can play with the neutral player
If withe players regain the ball, they have to pass quickly to the other 2 white players playing in the other external zone and move there to start playing a new possession . The 2 red opponents have to move into the opponent zone trying to regain the ball

White pair intercepting the ball

Rules

Unlimited touches for the players possessing the ball
The neutral player have 2 touches allowed and can't exit the central zone

Variations

If a player passes first itime, the teammate receiving has unlimited ball touches and vice versa

Coaching Points

Create give and go triangulations to avoid the opponent
Focus on the negative transition. After losing possession, the closest player presses and the teammates get closer
Focus on the distances between players
Focus on the body positioning during reception, it must be always opened towards the largest portion of field
Encourage the give and go: after passing players have to move into the free space to receive again
The player who is closer to the ball carrier has to chose between getting closer or moving to depth triggering the subsequent movement by the teammates
Encourage players in performig a countermove to lose the marker before receiving
Players positioned on the same line vertical or horizontal, have to move to create diagonal lines to trigger a continuous movement
Encourage the defending players to anticipate the passing lines to regain the ball as soon as possible