Change sides as a neutral helper
Practise switching support immediately when possession changes, using two neutral side helpers who always assist the current ball carrier.
Check the problem
A neutral helper returns the ball to the team that just lost it or waits for a coach to announce the change. The helper needs to read the current possession rather than remember the previous pass.
Set up the space and roles
Mark a 24 × 28 m rectangle using four corner cones, then use four more cones to mark a 2 m wide strip along each long side. Keep 2 m clear outside the full rectangle. Six players form two teams in the central 20 × 28 m area. Players 7 and 8 each occupy one side strip; only helpers enter these strips. There is one ball and no goalkeeper. Helpers can move along their own strip and return a ground pass to whichever team currently controls it.
Keep the rotation clear
Focused helpers are 7/8, then 1/4, then 2/5, then 3/6. Remaining players 1/2/3/7 form one base team and 4/5/6/8 the other; the current helper from each team leaves three inside. In the final game everyone rejoins those base teams.
See the practice in three steps
Schematic views, not to scale. Player numbers match the roles below. Dark arrows show passes, dashed green arrows show movement and solid green arrows show carries. Use the written dimensions when marking your area.
1. Starting positions
2. The decision and movement
3. Game application
Your complete 30-minute plan
Briefing, planned role changes, water and reflection are included. Add rest or stop when needed; shorten active play rather than rushing a transition.
00:00–03:00 · 3 min
Check, explain and walk the layout
With everyone still, give the ball to one team and ask both helpers to name their partners. Hand possession to the other team and repeat. Explain that the helpers do not defend and cannot score; they offer a pass and then look for the new ball carrier.
03:00–08:00 · 5 min
Prepare the movement
Rehearse short passing without opponents challenging. After each four-pass sequence, the adult gives the other team possession. Helpers turn to offer a fresh angle and may take several touches to return the ball. Avoid demanding a pass across the entire width.
08:00–17:00 · 9 min
Focused practice and role changes
Use 1 minute to explain, then four rounds of 1 minute 40 seconds and 20 seconds for changes. Play 3v3 plus the two helpers. Three consecutive completed passes earn a point; each pass to or from a helper counts once. After a point or ball out, the other team restarts from the centre with opponents 3 m away. Reset the tally after an interception, point or ball out. Helpers change support as soon as the new carrier controls. Main players stay out of the strips and defend through ground-pass interceptions with a 1 m gap.
17:00–19:00 · 2 min
Water and reset
Pause for water and check the area. Prepare the 24 × 28 m game area, with 2 m clear outside, reusing the same cones. Extra rest takes priority; shorten the next playing block if needed.
19:00–28:00 · 9 min
Use it in a game
Remove the internal strip cones and play 4v4 on the same full area. Score with a controlled carry across the far end line. Use three 2 minute 40 second rounds and 20 second pauses, with a different starting player each time. Observe whether former helpers find new passing angles after a change of possession. After a score or ball out, the other team restarts from its own end while opponents retreat 3 m.
28:00–30:00 · 2 min
Reflect and choose the next step
Ask one helper which visible event changed their partners. If the answer depends on a coach’s call, repeat a slower possession switch before making the game more competitive.
Watch for a useful change
- Helpers identify the current team in possession.
- A helper offers a fresh angle after an interception.
- Every child completes one helper round and three inside rounds.
Make it easier
Call a brief stop after each interception so helpers can identify the new team before play resumes.
When ready
Remove the coach’s possession calls while keeping helper touches unrestricted. Ask helpers to show support before the new carrier requests it.
Ask one helper which visible event changed their partners. If the answer depends on a coach’s call, repeat a slower possession switch before making the game more competitive.
Original Session Pitch practice. Open this file from the extracted folder with its three maps and stylesheet. Use your browser’s Print command to save a PDF. Field effectiveness has not been evaluated.