6v4 - Recovering with Possession

The concept of keeping possession in a game isn’t limited to trying to score as quickly as possible – it also has a lot to do with how your players manage their energy resources. After players spend time trying to win the ball back with high intensity, they need to maintain possession in a way that allows them to regain energy. This game allows players to focus on two extremely essential elements – winning the ball back as quickly as possible and controlling the pace of the game.
Age Group: 12- to 16-years

THE SETUP
- The playing area is about 30x30 yards
- There are four players in each team
- There are two neutral players who aid the team in possession
- One ball

THE RULES
- The players are in the playing area maintaining possession in a 6v4 game
- The two neutral players help the attacking players maintain possession
- Teams need to work at high intensity levels, closing down the players in possession in a bid to win the game
- Once they win possession, they need to immediately slow the game down to maintain possession while regaining their energy
You can even use this as a warm-up at the beginning of the session.

PROGRESSIONS
- Players have restricted number of touches on the ball, say two or three, before they need to pass the ball

COACHING POINTS
- Players need to create good angles to pass the ball
- Teams in possession need to spread out as much as possible, using the area as widely as possible
- The defending team needs to pressurise the team in possession with great intensity
- Defenders need to narrow down the space around the bal