Possession game · 24 seconds
Protect The Cone
A 5 v 2 possession game, from SoccerDrive. Five attackers spread round the outside of a circle and two defenders work in the middle, guarding a big cone. The attackers keep the ball away from the two in the middle, but keeping it is not the point on its own: the passes are there to drag the defenders across so that a line to the cone opens up behind them. When it does, an attacker strikes the ball through the gap and hits the cone to score. Because the two in the middle stand between the ball and the cone, the ball travels round the outside to move them and only goes through the middle when it is a strike. Lose the ball and you go into the middle, and the coach sends a partner in with you, so everyone gets a turn defending. 7 players, 5 v 2, in a circle about 12 to 15 yards across, with a big cone or a stack of cones in the middle.
Instructions
- Five attackers around the outside, two defenders in the middle guarding a big cone. Keep the ball away from the defenders
- Pass to move the defenders and open a line to the cone, quick and first time
- When the line opens, strike the ball and hit the centre cone to score
- Lose the ball and you go into the middle (with a partner), so everyone gets a turn defending
- Use your passes to move the defenders, not just to keep the ball
- Heads up and decide early: pass to keep it, or strike if the line to the cone is open
- Support at an angle so there is always an easy pass on both sides of you
- Defenders stay compact and protect the cone, do not dive in
Variation
- Limit the attackers to two touch, then one touch, to speed it up. Make the centre area bigger or smaller, or add a second cone to defend. A point for hitting the cone; the defenders win a point for a clean interception. Whoever loses the ball goes into the middle with a partner, as the coach directs.
Building lineups in seconds
Set your team sheet, plan your substitutions, and share it with the parents before you leave the car park.
