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Free practice plan · U15 and older · 11v11 · High school and adultA practice plan for U15 and older:
Full-Back Overlaps
Older teams climb faster. Ninety minutes, sixteen to twenty players, and one idea: switch the play, then bring the full-back late. Every activity here is free on this site, with its own page and an animated video.
- Full-back: go late and fast, on the outside.
- Wide player: come inside when the full-back goes outside.
Bring: Ball each, two goals, 2 mini goals, flat cones, pinnies in three colors.
Your job: Say the principle, not the play. At these ages the players should be running the game.
The session, minute by minute
4v1 With a Call
RondoA 10x10, one attacker on each side, one defender in. A helper walks the outside holding up one to five fingers. The receiver calls the number before the first touch. No call, no count. Six counted passes is a point. Swap the defender every 45 seconds. Players start as they arrive.
HarderThe helper changes the number while the ball travels.
If it stallsPlayers calling after the touch? Slow the passing down until the call comes first, then speed it up.
Switch Through the Middle
SharpenA 20x14. Two attackers on each side line, two in the middle, three defenders. Score by moving the ball from one side to the other through a middle player. Direct side-to-side passes do not count. Middle players have two touches. Run it for ten minutes, then add the first progression.
HarderMiddle players have one touch.
If it stallsMiddle never free? Middle players may step outside the area to receive.
Full-Back Joins
SolveA 30x25 with a goal and keeper. Two wide players and a striker against three defenders. A full-back waits on the start line. The attack starts with a pass to a wide player. On that pass, the full-back may join, making it 4v3. Ten seconds from the full-back's first touch to a shot. Defenders counter to a mini goal.
HarderThe full-back must receive the ball in the attack.
If it stallsFull-back arriving too early? They may not cross the start line until the wide player has touched the ball.
11v11, 3 x 8 minutes
PlayA goal counts double if a full-back joined the attack. Short of players? Play even teams on a smaller field. The rule stays the same. Water comes before this block, never in the middle of it.
Our corner
Set pieceNear post, far post and one at the top of the box. Walk it twice, then play it live.
Shorter session?
With 75 minutes, halve Sharpen. With 60, skip it and run Rondo, Solve, Play and the set piece. Never cut Play.
Match day: what to watch for
Three things to look for from the touchline:
- Does the full-back go late, or too early?
- Does the wide player come inside to make room?
- Does the striker stay high?
Questions coaches ask
What if the full-back arrives too early?
They may not cross the start line until the wide player has touched the ball.
What if the middle is never free?
Middle players may step outside the area to receive.
Who is this plan for?
U15 through high school and adult teams. The U15 and older page has more activities at this level.
More free practice plans
A full match week, every week, for twelve weeks
The Full Season Travel Curriculum for ages 13 to 18 is the game model in six pages, 36 sessions built around MD-4, MD-3 and MD-2, twelve match-day pages, set pieces and the 35-minute warm-up. Two editions: 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1.