Objectives

• Develop ball retention in tight spaces
• Improve tactical decision-making (when to pass, where to pass)
• Strengthen collective pressing and defensive intensity
• Work on quick ball movement under pressure
• Increase the ability to break through defensive lines

Equipment required

• Balls
• At least 8 cones (to mark out the 3 zones)
• Bibs (3 different colours for the 3 teams)

Age group

• Under-15s (D) to adults players

Number of players

• At least 9 players (3 teams of 3)

Theme

• Ball retention (conservation)

Duration

• 20 to 30 minutes

Organisation

• Create 3 rectangular zones side by side (each measuring 20x15m, with the middle one being shorter to serve as a waiting area). 3 players per zone. The aim of 2 of the teams is simply to keep possession of the ball, while the other team must try to win it back.

Procedure

1. Team 1 starts with the ball in zone 1.
2. They must make at least 5 consecutive passes to advance.
3. Once the number of passes has been reached, Team 1 sends the ball to Team 2 (on the other side).
4. Meanwhile, the middle team (defenders) presses to intercept.
5. If the middle team recovers the ball before it crosses the zone, they take the place of the team from whom they recovered the ball.
6. The team that lost the ball takes the place of the defenders and goes to retrieve the ball in the other zone.

Variations

• Increase the number of passes required (e.g. 10) to increase the difficulty
• Increase the size of the zones to provide more space
• Add a touch limit (max. 2 touches per player before passing)
• Play with one touch only (advanced levels)
• Team competition: count successful passes and fouls, best team wins