| Players | 4–8 |
|---|---|
| Starting space | 20 × 20 yards near a corner |
| Suggested time | 6–10 minutes, including short breaks |
| Equipment | Balls, flat cones, bibs when teams are used |
Set it up
Use a taker, nearby support, central target, and defender. Start without a keeper and use ground passes.
How to play
The taker chooses a short pass when support is free. Support may return the ball or pass centrally. Rehearse what to do when the defender closes the short option.
Make it easier
Move the defender farther away and walk through the choices.
Add a challenge
Let the defender choose to press the taker or screen the support.
What to watch for
The same routine is forced against every setup. Ask the taker to check whether the short option is open.
Take it into a game
Finish with a short small-sided game and look for the same restarts decision without the activity’s extra conditions. Ask a player to describe one moment when it helped. Keep the next round simple if the skill disappears under pressure.
KEEP IT SIMPLELook for space. Keep the ball within reach.
Practical suggestions to adapt to your players. This resource has not received independent coach or referee review. How our content is prepared.