Drill to take advantage of turnovers

Focus on getting your young players to turn defence into attack when they win the ball. Use small-sided games and change the pitch dimensions for soccer training drills to help achieve this.

Soccer drill tips

If you have a problem where your team is not taking advantage when they win the ball to turn defence into attack, you can use this soccer drill to sort out the problem. Using a long, narrow layout with small goals funnels the players into fast direct attack through the middle of the pitch. Attacking small goals needs swift passing to break the defenders down and create opportunities to score. If your team can do it successfully during a soccer training drill, watch them go in matches.

Don’t stick to the rules

Forget off-sides – leave that to another soccer coaching session – they get in the way of the drill you're trying to coach in this instance. Throw-ins, corners all get in the way. Have helpers placed around the pitch to keep the soccer drill going by throwing balls in when one goes out. It makes for a fast training session and one the players will think is great fun while it boosts their soccer brains and soccer skills.

Take advantage of turnovers quickly, to create fast passing football using 4v4 in your soccer training drills.

Use a long narrow field, 55m x 11m, with a small goal at each end. No goalkeepers. Restarts are a dribble or pass from in front of the player’s own goal. If teams cannot bring the ball out initially, have one of the defenders start out in a poor position, which creates a 4v3 for a short period, or start the play 10 yards out from goal.

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