1. BALL EXCHANGE PASSING
Passing
Players are positioned as shown in four squads
with a ball at two diagonally opposite groups. The
front players take a touch and then play a
weighted pass (1) across to each other. They
move forward and, on receiving the other ball,
pass it (2) to the front player of the facing group
then follow their pass to the back of the facing
group.
The receiving player at the front of the opposite
line passes the ball (3) to the new front player in
the original starting position. The activity then
resumes as before.
Later the exercise can be attempted at increased
speed and with one touch only. Then to
encourage left foot passes the exercise should be
done starting at the two other groups.
Shooting
The shooting activity begins as for the passing one
with an exchange of balls (1) from diagonally
opposite front players. The next pass to the same
front player of the facing line is a lay-off (2) to
enable the receiving player to dribble forward (3)
and shoot (4).
After shooting, either the player or goalkeeper
plays the ball to the side of the squad on his right
where other spare balls should be located. This
helps to ensure that the exercise flows without
interruption. He then joins the end of the opposite
squad as in the passing activity.
Crossing and Finishing
A further progression is to make the activity into a
‘Crossing and Finishing’ exercise. The fist pass is
an exchange (1) as before. Then, instead of laying
the ball off inside it is played wide (2) for the
receiving player from the front of the opposite
group. Having played the ball out for the ‘winger’,
the player who initiated the exercise moves
forward as a striker to finish the cross from the
other squad.
The winger dribbles (3) the ball into a wide position
before crossing (4) for the striker’s finish (5). After
shooting, the player joins the end of the squad
straight opposite from where he started (6).
The new front players take another ball and
recommence the activity with the opening diagonal
pass.
Craig Brown

2. CENTRE GOALS GAME
The game is played 4 v 4 with the possession 4 starting at the marker cone some 35
yards from the goal. They play against 2 outfield defenders and two other defenders
who must remain on the goal line. In order to control the start of the play it is an idea
to have all 4 players do an exercise (eg 3 press ups) before they start playing. The 4
v 2 exercise thus created should result in a goal attempt after which all 4 defenders
take the ball to their starting cone on the other side of the centre goal. The defending
team change the 2 defenders with 2 'goalkeepers'. The coaching opportunities in the
4 v 2 activity are limitless and it is suggested that there is no defined width in the
playing area. Play naturally comes back to the focal area - the goal which is being
attacked!
The goalkeepers may be introduced from the beginning, or after the players have
played for a time with 2 defenders in goal. When the 'keepers are in goal the 2 from
the goal line move to the cone behind the goal in preparation to be joined by their
colleagues who were defending the goal line.
Craig Brown

3. SoccerSpecific.com Session Plan: Exchanging Boxes
ACTIVITY #1
Set up: Exchanging Boxes Introduction in a 25 x 50 yard area
subdivided into two 25 x 20 yard end zones with a middle 10 x
25 yard zone.
Instructions: Using the same number of players in each end box,
they familiarise themselves with the playing area by having a
passing session using a ball in each box.
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ACTIVITY #2
Set up: Exchanging Boxes: Thereafter one ball is removed and
three 'defending' players are sent to the box with the ball. In this
example a 9v3 exercise is then put in operation, but it could be
any numbers to suit the coach.
Instructions: If the 3 defending players win possession, or it the
ball is played outside the playing area, the 3 players return to their
own box followed by 3 new defenders. The defenders can run
straight into the new box or be asked to undertake 3 x 10 yard
shuttles before assuming their defensive duties against the new
group in possession.
Coaching Points: Type Coaching Points Here...
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4. SoccerSpecific.com Session Plan: Craig_Brown_Matching_Pairs
ACTIVITY #1
Set up: Matching Pairs Warm-Up 1
Instructions: Warm up starts with players working in pairs with
no balls. The leader determines the warm-up movement of his
following colleague and, of course, the leader is changed
frequently.
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ACTIVITY #2
Set up: Matching Pairs Warm-Up 2
Instructions: Progress with several pairs having a ball each.
They do whatever movement the leader determines with the ball,
while the other proceeds as before.
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ACTIVITY #3
Set up: Matching Pairs Warm-Up 3
The players without a ball separate and stand in a space while
selected pairs continue with a ball each. To learn the activity it is
useful if the players with a ball each, following one behind the
other, carry the balls by hand. When desired, the leading player
throws the ball to one of the standing colleagues and takes his
place.
Instructions: The player who receives the ball immediately runs
to move in behind the former following player who now is the
leader. This is repeated several times to ensure that all standing
players have the opportunity to become mobile. An advancement
of this is for the ball to be thrown twice by the leading player to
one of the standing colleagues. He catches the ball, returns it to
the front player who, again, throws it back. Only then does he run
to catch up and move in behind the former follwing player. This
exercise then is done by throwing thowing to head, headed back,
and caught by the player who then runs to follow the leading
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player who first threw the ball.
Coaching Points:

5. SoccerSpecific.com Session Plan: Craig_Brown_Matching_Pairs
ACTIVITY #4
Set up: Matching Pairs Warm-Up 4
Instructions: Having learned by hand, then incorporating
heading, the ball is now played on the ground. The dribbling pair,
one behind the other, may be asked to perform a matching turn, or
other activities, before the leader passes the ball and takes the
place of the receiving player. An additional, testing activity, is to
do the exercise with all players keeping the ball in the air. Then,
finally, free "Matching Paris" movements are encouraged before
the leader passes the ball to the new following player.
Coaching Points:
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6. SoccerSpecific.com Session Plan: craig_brown_shaping_a_team_4_4_2
ACTIVITY #1
Set up: 8v4 Cross Running: This is an 8 v 4 exercise with the
middle 4 players playing in both directions. For fitness work it
can be used on a full size of field, but the penalty box to penalty
box distance can be equally demanding.
Instructions: Shown in the diagram is the middle team (red)
playing from right to left with the black team. When the attack is
over, either by a successful attack or the defending (green) team
winning possession and playing the ball back to their 'keeper or
putting out of play, the middle 4 players change places at speed as
shown, A with C and B with D. The game resumes on the signal
of the coach when the change of positions has been undertaken
successfully. After, say, a 10 minute period of hard work, the
middle 4 players change with one of the other 'teams' of 4. This is
a good preparatory activity for the 'SHAPING A TEAM IN 4-4-2
FORMATION', when in a 10 v 6 structure, the midfield 4 players
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work in both directions.
Coaching Points: When playing in the other direction the red
players change positions - SPRINTING - wide right A changing
with C, and B changing with D. The 'keeper holds the ball until
after the change. ACTIVITY #2
Set up: Shaping a Team In a 4-4-2 Formation: Using the 70-yard
pitch teams are set up in three colours. One back four and two
strikers, another back four and two strikers and a middle four
playing with both teams.
Instructions: The 10 v 6 game is started by a throw-out from on
e goalkeeper who initiates the nature of the play specified by the
coach. The back four of this team operates with the neutral
coloured middle four and their own two strikers against the back
four and two strikers of the opposition. This numerical superiority
should result in a successful attack. On winning the ball teh
defenders should attempt to pass back to their goalkeeper or clear
up field or out of play. They do not initiate an attack, or counter
attack at this time.
Coaching Points: The defending team, supplemented by the
neutral midfield players (who could have changed to their own
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positions prior to the new movement), now plays against the
original six. The game proceeds from end to end allowing the
coach to make relevant points and introduce attacking and
defending set piece arrangements.