This game and its many progressions is designed to get the most out of the thinking processes of the players. Many mental challenges to overcome and learn from.

On gaining possession players must change the point of attack to score a goal.

Coaching Points:

Continuums Model to work off and relate to.

An Awareness of the passing player of where teammates and opponents are positioned AND where the space is (Look and Think Before receiving)
An awareness of the receiving player as to when the passer is ready to pass (Look and Think Before receiving)
Good communication via visual cues through eye contact or aural cues through speaking makes this work (Communication)
Establishing an open stance for greater peripheral vision and an angle of support (body position and feet preparation)
Movement OFF the ball by the players in possession to get free and into open space (Tactical Mobility)
Timing and angle of the runs (Tactical Mobility)
Timing; accuracy and pace of the pass (Technique)
Good receiving and turning technique with an awareness of what is behind before receiving it (Technique, Control and Look and Think)
Move and join in the next phase of play (Tactical Mobility)
If we lose possession try to win it back immediately (Mental and Physical Transition)
And of course the SKILL FACTOR, decision making; is based on all.

Fast paced directional transition and possession target game

GAME OBJECTIVE: Developing movement off the ball offensively, pressing the ball and tracking movement “off the ball” defensively.

RULES:

Players must pass the ball to their target players to score. To score again they have to work the ball back into their own half of the field to be able to return.
Target players have two touches as do side players.

COACHING POINTS:

Creating Space by running off the ball to receive or to help a teammate receive.
Quality of Passing; long and short to targets and to teammates.
Support play: working angles and distances incorporating switching play using the side players.
Receiving and Turning in tight situations and dribbling in 1 v 1 situations.
Quick decision making is required in this session because the numbers are small, the area tight and the transitions rapid.

Develop:

No restriction on touches then 3, 2 or 1 touch, but only if it is on to do one touch.
All outside and target players have one touch only where possible
Switch with target players as they receive the ball.
Switch with outside players

Here is an example of the transition and movement off the ball to make it happen.

(2) passes to target player (8) who brings the ball back into the playing area.

(3) makes a run into the other half of the field on the blind side of (C) to receive the next pass. They need to get the ball into that half to be able to score.

(1) makes a forward run into space to receive the next pass off (3) and passes to target player (7) who can start the play again.

(1) switches with (7) and becomes a target player for the next phase of play.

Elements of play the target game teaches

A) Attacking as a Team and as Individuals.

Creating Space by running off the ball to receive or to help a teammate receive.
Developing quick support play working angles and distances incorporating switching play using the side players.
Passing long and short to targets and to teammates.
Receiving and turning in tight situations and dribbling in 1 v 1 situation’s.
Lots of touches on the ball for the players in this practice.
Quick decision making is required in this session because the numbers are small, the area tight and the transitions rapid.

B) Defending as a Team and as Individuals.

Pressurizing players on the ball to regain possession.
Supporting pressuring players and tracking runners off the ball.
High pressure to regain possession in the attacking half to be able to go straight to the target to score.

C) Transitions from defense to attack and attack to defense, quick decision making and improved concentration as the switch occurs. Interchanges of positions between inside players, targets and side support players

D) As a coach you can work in this session how to defend properly as individuals and a team or how to attack properly as individuals and a team.

Progressions

No restriction on touches then three, two or one touch but only if it is on to do so.
Introduce neutral player so a 5 v 4 overload in the middle if possession isn’t kept easily.
Interchanges of players outside to in, inside to out.
Have one teammate at each end so you are attacking both ends but once you have passed to one target you keep possession and must try to get to the other target. You can’t go back unless the opposition win the ball and then you get it back, only then can you go back to the same target.
To lessen the workload and keep everyone involved have players switch with targets and outside players when they pass to them.
The team can only score if they get an overlap, crossover or 1 – 2 in during the buildup.
No talking so players have to rely on their own vision to play.
Players move into the target zone to receive (timing of run and pass) so we don’t play with actual targets, different players can then become the target player.
Man – Marking – Have the players man mark so they must track a player when they haven’t the ball and they must lose their marker when they have the ball.
To improve the speed of thought reward a successful one touch pass with a goal or point. To score a goal by passing to the target player now reward this with three goals or 3 points.
The team in possession can pass back to the opponents target players to help keep possession of the ball. Liken this to passing back to the keeper in