by Glenn Myernick, Former U.S. National Team Assistant Coach and NSCAA National Staff
originally published in The Soccer Journal - The Official Publication of NSCAA http://www.nscaa.com/
Warm-Up: Technical practice
Organization:
In Diagram 1 six players have been placed in a grid 12 by 16 yards. The objective of the exercise is to have the players sharpen their control and passing skill and improve the timing of their runs to both collect and receive the ball.
In the first phase, Player No.1 sends a ball across to Player No. 2, who comes to meet the pass, controls it on the first touch and plays it back to No. 1.
No. 2 then bends a run away and No. 1 controls, and on the second touch, plays a well-weighted ball into No. 2's path then runs to take No. 2's place on the grid.
No. 3 now views the action between Nos. 1 and 2. As No. 2 collects the ball, time a run to collect a pass, play it back to No. 2 and move away to collect the return pass and now combine with No. 4, etc. No. 2 replaces No. 3, etc.
Each player seeks to first control, then pass the ball. The quality of the pass (accuracy, pace) must be emphasized to the players and gradually they can be asked to increase the speed of movement in the exercise.
The coach can now reverse the direction of the passing. The players can then be asked to first time all passes with reversal of flow of the exercise to take place using this restriction as well.
Three grids should be set up on the field with six players as signed to each. The central grid may be used by the coach to demonstrate each of the variations in the exercise. About 10 yards should be allowed between the grids for safety purposes.
Match-related Exercises
Organization:
In Diagram 1 six players have been placed in a grid 12 by 16 yards. The objective of the exercise is to have the players sharpen their control and passing skill and improve the timing of their runs to both collect and receive the ball.
Create three larger (20 by 40 yards) grids, two on the perimeter of the field and a third in the middle of the other half of the field (see #2 for location of grids). Four players (two in red, two in blue) are initially involved.
The two players on the ends of the grids might be viewed as the left back and a center back respectively.
The player on the touchline (No. 1) is the focal point of the exercise, with the objective to free that individual to penetrate into the final third of the field. The fourth player (No. 2) must coordinate with No. 1 in bringing that about.
Diagram 3 depicts No. 1 timing a run to the ball and playing it back to the leftback. At this point the back at the other end of the grid shows for the ball and lays it off to No. 1, who has sprinted into open space. Players now resume their places on the grid and this pattern is repeated in the other direction with No. 2 replicating No. 1's pattern.
In Diagram 4, The leftback can "signal" to No. 1 (when it is clear that No. 1 is being tightly marked) by a "soft ball" to his feet that is intended to tell him that once No. 1 returns the ball, a ball to space behind the aggressive defender is "on" and so No. 1 must spin and move to receive the pass.
Organization:
In Diagram 5 we see No. 2 being trained with the supporting back to penetrate the flank and while the option demonstrated in Diagram 4 is not shown, time can be spent on that as well.
In Diagram 6, another variation is shown. The ball is played to No. 1 who now executes a takeover with No. 2.
On the takeover No. 2 plays the ball forward with the receiver able to play the ball off to either No. 1 or No. 2.
The final option is shown in Diagram 7. It involves a pass to No. 1, who executes a crossover with No. 2.
The leftback, now overlapping into the space created by No. 1's dribble, receives a ball from No. 2 following the crossover.
Organization:
In Diagram 8 we see another combination being trained. Again No.2 shows to the ball and plays it back to the leftback.
Off the ball, No. 1 is making a more central run, dragging the defender and opening up space which is exploited when he sprints to the exposed space behind the defense to receive a one-touch pass from the leftback.
Again, this pattern should be emphasized going in both directions.
In Diagram 9 we see the two attacking players combining to open up space on the flank for player No. 2.
His teammate shows to control and play the ball back to leftback. As this is taking place No. 2 draws the defender and, as the leftback receives the ball, sprints centrally to receive the ball.
6 v.6 + 2
Organization:
The next training exercise is a two-goal game that is played on a 84 by 36 yard field. The main buildup area was 60 by 36 yards with two 12 yard zones at either end of the field.
Two goals (marked by flags and cones) are placed at the sides of the fields, each 12 yards in width.
Two neutral players (in white) play with the team having ball possession and emphasis is on working to get the ball and players free on the flanks of the field.
A team scores when a ball or a player and the ball is played through either of its goals and the ball stops inside the end zone.
Play then proceeds in the opposite direction.
Initially both teams fail to establish a target player up top and the coach instructs them to do so in order to stretch the defense vertically. After that, play opens up a bit, though keeping players wide as free play took place proves difficult at times.
Here players must understand that everyone may find themselves in wide positions (again the issue of mobility) and recognize the various options at their command that can free themselves.
Variations:
Depending on the ability in the team, the exercise may be varied by: 1) expanding the space to 44 yards (the width of the penalty box), or 2) making the exercise 5 v. 5 + 2, or 3) combining both options.
In the 6 v. 6 + 2 and in the concluding 9 v. 9 exercise, the offside rule should be observed.
8 v. 8 plus keepers Organization:
The end game is an 8 v. 8 game with goalkeepers on a field that was full length (Diagram 11). With markers, initially establish outside lanes in which only the flank players can operate and then remove that restriction.
Teams are awarded two points for penetration down a flank, five points when a goal is scored either from the flank or a goal from a pass from the flank and three points for a goal scored and/or built up from a central position.
Organization: 
