Full-court Sideline Touch Game

Focus

Fitness Conditioning, Attacking Systems, Defensive Systems, Games & Races.

Skills

Preliminary Moves & Passing, Footwork & Agility, Goalie Preliminary Moves, Shooting, Defensive Moves, Circle Defence, Vision & Quick Decisions.

Purpose

Two full teams compete in this game-based drill combined with some additional fitness during play.

Players

14⁺

Ages

6⁺

Balls

Cones

Distance (max)

Opp. tops

50%

Visible opposition strip: 50%

Setup
Choose two evenly matched teams and assign positions as per a normal game. Choose attacking team and ends.
Step 1
Play a game with normal rules, except:-

Restart begins from the baseline, not the centre.

(WD & WA) can go anywhere (C) can.

After a player passes/shoots they must sprint to a cone.
Step 2
The main difference to general play is after passing or shooting, everyone must touch one of the 12 cones scattered around the sidelines before they can receive again. This removes one passing option, so remaining attackers must work harder.

To begin with, force defenders (GK-GD-WD) to follow their opponent to the sideline - (C)'s don't need to follow

Remember, attackers can't touch the ball again until they've touched a cone

Attackers consider which cone is positionally most advantageous to visit for their next move
Step 3
If a turnover is effected, transition as defence turns attack back towards their scoring end (with cone touch after passing). Continue until a goal is scored, then:-

Place the ball on the baseline

Stop for a breather
Step 4
Possession change, with (GK) throwing the first pass into play.
Step 5
Progression: Defenders (GK-GD-WD) no longer need to follow their attacking opponent to the sideline.

The key is the decision making of defenders - follow your player to the sideline, or push-up and pressure another active player to force a turnover?