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Free activity · 100 Possession Activities4v2 Split
Four attackers on the sides of a 10x10, two defenders inside working as a pair. Six passes is a point and a pass that splits the two defenders is three. The defenders learn as much as the attackers.
Setup
A 10x10. Four attackers on the sides, two defenders inside working as a pair.
How it works
- Six passes is a point. A pass that splits the two defenders is three.
- Defenders swap when they win it: the attacker who lost it goes in with the attacker to their right.
- Attackers may use one or two touches.
Scoring
Attackers count points. Defenders count wins. Compare after two minutes.
- Attackers: pull the two defenders apart with quick passes, then split them.
- Defenders: one presses, one covers the split. Never get side by side.
- Receive facing the middle so the split is on.
Make it easier or harder
- Progression 1: One touch for anyone receiving on the same side the ball came from.
- Progression 2: 12x12 with five attackers and two defenders. Add a third defender if the split comes too easily.
Coach’s notes
- If It Stalls: No splits happening? Give a point for a pass that changes the side of the square, so they start moving the defenders.
Why it works
Two defenders change everything. Now the attackers have to move the pair before they can play through it, and the defenders have to decide who presses and who covers. Give the split three points and players start looking for it instead of passing safely around the outside.
Coach the defenders as hard as the attackers. One goes, one covers the split, and they never end up side by side. That is the same rule your midfield pair will need in the game on Saturday.
Where it sits
This is activity 3 of 100 in 100 Possession Activities (Theme 1 · Rondos: Keep It Under Pressure). The book is ten themes of ten rungs each, from a 3v1 square to a full 9v9 transition game, and every activity has its setup, rules, scoring, two progressions, three coaching points and an animated video like the one above.
More like this
Ages 11+ · Rondos3v1 SquareThe first rondo. Three attackers on three sides of a small square, one defender inside, two touches and five passes for a point.
Open the activity ›
Ages 11+ · Rondos4v1 With a CallA 4v1 rondo where the receiver has to call a number shown by a helper before the first touch.
Open the activity ›
Ages 11+ · Rondos5v2 With a LinkThe first rondo with a player in the middle. Four attackers on the sides, one inside as the link, two defenders.
Open the activity ›All ten rungs of this theme, and nine more themes
100 Possession Activities is a 115-page PDF with 100 animated MP4 videos: rondos, playing out from the back, through the lines, support, switching, overloads, movement, timing, counter-pressing and counter-attacks. Print the page, watch the clip, run the session.