Work hard to win the ball

by Tony Carr in Practice plans, Soccer tackling drills

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Working hard to win possession and then keeping the ball for your team.
What this session is about
When the opponents have the ball your team has no option but to work hard in order to win
back possession. Therefore, it is vitally important that you keep the ball when you are in
possession.
What to think about
  To warm up have the players work on passing and receiving skills before moving on
to dribbling skills. Dribbling and passing are two ways you keep possession in football so this
will prepare them for the session ahead.
   Trying to win the ball back on individually can be hard work so players benefit from
taking a rest in the larger area after they have chased the ball down.
Set-up
  10×10 yard inside area, 20×20 outside area.
Warm
Warm up Session Developments Game Situation
Down

10 minutes 15-20 minutes 15-20 minutes 15-20 minutes 10

minutes
What you get your players to do
Four attackers go into the 10x10yd area, the defender must try to pressure the attackers and
win the ball.
If successful, the defender must pass the ball out to a team mate and then go to take their
place. The team mate receiving dribbles into the area.
The attacker that lost the ball must now defend and try to win the ball back.
One defender tries to win the ball back in the central area.

Development
Play 4 attackers v 2 defenders in the smaller central area.
If the 2 players win the ball, can they pass out to their team mates?
Now the game is 6v4 in the larger area.
If the 4 players win possession the game restarts in the central area with the players rotating
roles.
The two defenders win the ball from the attackers in the small area 2v4 ...

Game situation
Play a small sided game. Look what happens when possession is lost.
Do the players react quickly?
On regaining possession do players give the ball away cheaply?
 …and the game becomes 6v4 in the larger area.

What to call out

  “React to losing possession”
  “Can you win the ball back?”
  “Keep the ball”
  “Make 3 quick passes”
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About Tony Carr

Tony Carr is one of the most influential figures in English football. The former West Ham
Academy director has brought through – from the youth team to the first team – players like
Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and
Jermain Defoe.
View all posts by Tony Carr >
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 Press Gang the opposition like Real Madrid
in Soccer tackling drills, Team Management
Real Madrid win the ball back quickly. They don’t wait for opponents to make a mistake,
they force mistakes so they can regain possession. With this session your team will too.
WHY USE IT This session is all about pressing play and winning the ball, and if your team
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