Possession Pressure – Common Problems & Solutions

Below are the most common problems you will likely face along with solutions in terms of coaching points and advice for your players. If you encounter other problems, please post details in the comments on this page and your issue will be addressed.

Possession Pressure:

Problem: Teams struggle to keep possession

Solution: It’s difficult in a tight space and it’s supposed to be! Regardless of whatever touch limitation you are using (or even if there isn’t one), encourage players to play one-touch combinations whenever possible as this makes it more difficult for opponents to tackle them or react. The neutral player is key because they are essentially always the ‘spare’ player so they need to be a constant passing option for the team in possession.

Problem: Players want goals to score in, they get bored with keeping possession

Solution: Explain how important it is for their development. Scoring goals is fun and necessary in games but there are plenty of other exercises where scoring is an option. This exercise is the ultimate test of players’ ability to make quick decisions under pressure in a tight space, much like they will experience in games. Explain to your players that in order to create chances to score goals, they need to be able to keep the ball as they move towards the opponents goal, so this exercise is absolutely necessary.

Problem: Possession gets turned over constantly, neither team can build up passes

Solution: Add an additional neutral player, so the team in possession have two extra players rather than just one. This gives a bigger advantage to the team in possession who should then be able to keep the ball more effectively.