Training Session

Objective

Improve ball control, passing and decision-making under pressure while applying Pressure, Cover and Balance principles.

Learning Intentions

• Keep possession using quick, accurate passes and good movement.
• Scan, receive with proper body shape and play with both feet.
• Apply pressure, cover and balance as a unit to win the ball.
• Make decisions quickly under pressure.

Setup

• Mark a square area with 4 cones (adjust size as needed).
• 6 players keep possession (4 on the outside lines, 2 inside).
• 3 players defend inside the square.

How to Play

• Outside players move along their line and cannot leave it.
• Inside possession players can move freely.
• Keep possession with quick, accurate passes.
• Defenders press, cover and balance as a unit to win the ball.
• If defenders win the ball, they complete a pass to score a point.
• Rotate defending teams every 1–2 minutes.

Progressions (optional)

• Set a target number of passes (e.g., 10) for a point.
• Limit touches (e.g., 1–2 touches).
• Adjust area size or number of defenders.

Objective

Move defensively as a unit by recognizing who applies pressure, who provides cover, and who provides balance, then reorganizing quickly when the ball moves.

Learning Intentions

• Identify the first defender and apply pressure to the ball.
• Provide cover and balance so the team stays compact and connected.
• Reorganize quickly when the pass changes the point of attack.

Setup

• Rectangular area, slightly longer than wide.
• 4 mini goals, 2 on each short end.
• 4v4 in the central area.
• Coach serves new balls from the side.
• Goalkeepers train separately for the same 20 minutes.

How to Play

• Teams play 4v4 and score in either mini goal at the opposite end.
• Coach restarts quickly by playing a new ball in.
• Freeze play at moments to identify pressure, cover, and balance.
• When the ball is passed, defenders must shift and reorganize as a unit.

Progressions (optional)

• 5v5: each team places 1 player at the opposite end as a striker / bouncer.
• This player can also score; a goal assisted by this player = 3 pts.

Objective

Progress possession under pressure, starting with the goalkeeper, and escape the pressure to move the ball forward.

Learning Intentions

• Provide support and passing angles when building from the back.
• Escape pressure with a positive touch and quick decisions.
• React quickly when possession changes between attack and defence.

Setup

• Half field, 1 full-size goal.
• 2 mini goals on the halfway line, one in the middle of each wide third.
• Possession team: GK+3 players (2 defenders near the box, 1 midfielder) in a diamond.
• Opponents: 2 players, starting inside the mini goals on the halfway line.

How to Play

• Start every rep with the possession team's GK.
• Build from the back to progress possession under pressure.
• Opponents press to stop the build-out.
• Possession team has 1.5 minutes to score in a mini goal.
• Opponents win the ball and score in the full-size goal.
• Different teams of opponents take turns.

Scoring

Progressions (optional)

• Add another opponent: 3+GKv3.

Objective

Maintain possession and build from the back to progress into the opponent’s half and score.

Learning Intentions

• Build from the back with composure to find forward options.
• Move as a unit to create passing lanes and progress quickly.
• Use the wide channels and central player to advance the ball.

Setup

• Futsal court, 1 full-size goal at each end.
• Two wide channels marked with cones in the possession team’s half, from the halfway line to about one third of the width.
• Teams: 5v5 (outfield) + 1 goalkeeper each.
• Possession team: GK, 2 center backs, 2 wide channel players, 1 central midfielder.
• Opponents: GK, 2 defenders start next to their GK (inactive until trigger), 2 wide channel players, 1 central midfielder.

How to Play

• Ball starts with the possession team’s GK.
• Build from the back to keep possession, progress into the opponent’s half and score.
• Possession wide players must stay inside the channels; their central player moves freely.
• Opponents’ wide and central players move freely.
• When the ball enters the opponent’s half, the 2 defenders next to their GK can join (trigger).
• Play continues until a goal, the opponents win the ball, or 1.5 minutes expire.

Scoring