4v4 Possession Intervals for Endurance
4v4 keep-ball in 30 × 25 m played in intervals of 3 minutes with 1.5 minutes rest. High-intensity endurance with the ball instead of running without it.
- Age
- U15–Senior
- Players
- 8–12
- Duration
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 30 × 25 m
- Type
- Integrated
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Possession game
- Objectives
- Tactical: Ball possession, Pressing
- Physical: Endurance
- Concepts worked on
- Tactical:Ball retentionPressingSupport play
- Physical:Endurance
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
Small-sided possession games with the right work-to-rest ratio give an endurance stimulus close to running intervals, while players keep touching the ball and making decisions. Spare balls around the area keep the ball in play almost all the time.
Objective
Develop match endurance through intense possession intervals.
Organisation
- Area of 30 × 25 m. Two teams of four; spare balls on all sides. With 10–12 players, two neutrals or a rotating team.
How it works
- Keep possession: 8 passes = point.
- 4–6 intervals of 3 minutes, 90 seconds active rest (walking, passing in pairs).
- The coach restarts quickly with a new ball when it goes out.
Coaching points
- Defend with high intensity: the nearest player always presses.
- In possession, move constantly to offer a pass.
- Drink and walk in the rest periods.
Progressions
- Reduce rest to 60 seconds.
- Two-touch.
Regressions
- Bigger area and 2 minutes per interval.
Variations
- Add two mini-goals per team for a finish after 6 passes.
Key principles
- Work hard, recover, repeat.
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