Three-Zone Match with Touch Limits
7v7 with goalkeepers on a pitch split into thirds: maximum two touches in your defensive third, three in the middle third and free touches in the final third.
- Age
- U11–Senior
- Players
- 14–16
- Duration
- 24 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 60 × 40 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Match
- Objectives
- Technical: Passing, Dribbling
- Tactical: Build-up play, Decision making
- Concepts worked on
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Dribble
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
The touch limits match what each zone demands. In the defensive third the ball has to move quickly and safely; in the middle, players have time to control, turn and pass; in the final third they are free to dribble and take on defenders. Players learn to adapt their decisions to where they are on the pitch.
Objective
Adapt the speed of play to the zone: quick and safe at the back, controlled in the middle, brave in the final third.
Organisation
- 60 × 40 m pitch divided into three 20 m zones, with a goal and goalkeeper at each end.
- Two teams of seven plus goalkeepers (6v6 with fewer players).
- Spare balls in both goals.
How it works
- Normal match. The touch limit depends on the zone where the player receives, counted for each team from its own goal.
- Defensive third: maximum two touches. Middle third: maximum three. Final third: free.
- Breaking the limit gives the ball to the opponent with an indirect free kick.
- Goalkeepers restart play by passing to a player in the defensive third.
- 3 × 7 minutes with 1 minute rest.
Coaching points
- Defensive third: offer support on both sides of the ball carrier so a two-touch pass is always available.
- Look before you receive, especially at the back: with two touches there is no time to look afterwards.
- Middle third: first touch towards the next pass or forward.
- Final third: if you have a 1v1, take the defender on.
Progressions
- One touch in the defensive third.
- Two touches in the middle third.
Regressions
- Three touches in the defensive third.
- A neutral who plays with the team in possession.
Variations
- A goal counts double if the attack started in the defensive third with no loss of possession.
Key principles
- Safe and quick at the back.
- Look before receiving.
- Be brave in the final third.
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