3v3 + 1 Floater Possession — Escaping the Press with Fluid Movement
Fluidity and mobility (progressing and keeping the ball)
Players: 3+3+1 floaterArea: about 15×15 mAge: Any ageTime: 15 minPhase: Keeping the ball
Setup & rules
- Possession inside a square area. The floater always plays with the attacking team, making it 4v3 in total.
- When the defending team wins the ball, attack and defence switch without stopping play.
RULES: none in particular
Key factors
TACTICAL CONCEPTS
- Take balanced positions, wide and inside, in relation to the ball carrier
- If you are marked, move out of that space
- The order of movement: players closer to the ball carrier move first
- Players further away watch the movement of the nearer player and make a different movement (move into the space that has opened)
- If you come to support and the pass goes to another player, move quickly to the next position where you can support
- After passing, don't stop — support quickly so you can receive the return pass
TECHNICAL ACTIONS
- When receiving, set your body orientation to secure your field of vision (see the opponent)
- Pass after your teammate has got into position (use a dribble and holding the ball to buy time)
- If you are pressed as you receive, move the ball with your control (don't stop it at your feet)
- When you are under pressure, add a feint before the control
Progressions
- If this practice is difficult, make the space bigger or give the attackers one more player, and the ball will circulate more easily. The players' technical level also plays a big part, so adapt to the situation
Kazu's notes FROM THE COACH
- There are many tactical concepts, so it's fine to reduce them a little
* Grid size is an estimate from the diagram and numbers
Use this drill in your own session
Download it and open it in TRAINING DESIGNER — a free drill designer and session planner in your browser. Edit the diagram, change the numbers, add it to a session, and export as PDF, GIF or video.
In the app: menu → “Import external data” → choose the downloaded file. No sign-up needed. The original Japanese article: junior-soccer.college.
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