Soccer Coaching Blog | Professional Soccer Coaching Advice

David Clarke

Playing with overloads is a great way to get achieve your coaching focus. I often play games achieve success for players in certain aspects of the game. In this 8v4 game for instance, the overloads created and the set up means I can see switching play, short passing, long passing, good control and technique for the team of 8 and the team of 4 needs quick thinking and shooting to win the session

This game gets players practising different aspects of possession play and movement. When shooting at the targets, the scoring team must combine to goalscoring effect, while for the in-circle passing team the aim is to find a way past the opposition. The passing team outside the circle must be mobile and able to position themselves in the best way so as to receive the ball.

How to set it up:

• Mark out a 30-yard diameter circular pitch (with markers or cones if necessary).

• Place four goals at four equal points around the edge of the circle.

• There is one team of eight players, the passing team.

• The other team has four players, the scoring team.

• The passing team starts with four on the pitch and four off the pitch.

• The scoring team starts with all four players on the pitch.

The rules:

• The passing team must attempt to keep possession at all times, playing out to their team-mates positioned outside the circle.

• The player passing the ball must go to the outside whilst the receiving player dribbles into the playing area.

• The scoring team must get the ball into the target goals.

• The passing team get a point for each successful switch.

• Play for a time period to be designated by the coach, then gradually rotate groups of four players so that each team gets the opportunity to perform in each role.