5v2 Rotating Defenders - U6 to U17 Soccer Drills

This drill will focus on keeping possession by making good passes as well as good passing decisions, moving to open space, and good communication.
Soccer Drill contributed by: Chris Johnson

Soccer Drill Info:
This is for ages U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, U16. Run this soccer drill with at least 9 players but no more than 18. This soccer drill should last approximately 20 minutes on a small field. Make sure you have the following equipment: cones, alternate jersey.

Soccer Drill Diagram

Setup:
Start by setting up a 12X12 grid. 5 attackers wear Alternate jersies, and the remaining players should pair up as defenders behind one cone with the supply of balls.

Instructions:
The first pair of defenders play a ball into the 5 attackers, and step into the grid and become defenders. The attackers should continue passing undil the defenders win the ball, or the ball is knocked out of play. Once the play is dead, the next pair of defenders play into the same 5 attackers, and play resumes.

Variations:

* Adjust grid (larger = easier; smaller = harder)
* Introduce splits (split defenders, defenders do 10 pushups every split)
* Adjust the number of attackers (4 attackers vs 2 defenders)

Coaching Points:

* Vision
* Changes in the direction and speed of play
* Appropriate use of 1st touch
* Appropriate use of short or long passing
* Good passes to feet
* Good first touch
* Good decision making (make play easy)
* Speed of play/decisions

Focus:
Technical Dribbling, Technical Passing, Technical Receiving, Technical Shielding, Tactical Defending, Tactical Possession, Tactical Communication, Tactical Combination Play