How To Coach Controlling Possession – Tactical Theory

Coaching philosophies in football set teams apart, adding complexity to the game and ultimately making it more intriguing.

Every single one of us has our favourite style of play, and on-field coaching is the main way to realize your idea in material form.

Controlling possession is one of the most popular game plans, and it is often used by the bigger teams, who want to be all over the game and in control of every detail throughout the 90 minutes.

Also, this style could be of great importance for all teams, no matter what their initial game plan, because the security of the ball is a key factor in the modern game.

This coaching tactical analysis will show you the three drills that could help you train the control possession style, along with some other segments of the game that could fit your tactics.

What Is Controlling Possession?

Controlling possession is the philosophy that is based on short passing and good positional play.

The key idea is to create numerical advantages on restricted areas of the pitch in order to progress with your actions by always having an available option to pass.

The drills we have lined up are commonly based on keeping the ball in surplus scenarios, along with the counter-pressing and defensive transitions parts, which are closely related to the possession-based type of play.

In this analysis, we will break down the drills that could be used in the main part of the practice and that help players feel more comfortable with the ball but force them to maintain the structure after the ball is lost.

Communication between the players is also important when playing this way, so it should be encouraged throughout those sessions.

Arrigo Sacchi’s double rondo

The first drill we are going to discuss was created by the legendary Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi during his time at AC Milan.

The setup of the session is quite simple  a bigger rectangle 40 meters in length and 25-30 meters in width, with a smaller square in the centre of it that is shaped by 12�12 meters.

The initial setup includes ten players, but the number could vary depending on the number of players you have in training.

Throughout the variations you’re making to the exercise.

The first thing you do is the asymmetrical division of roles as you create two teams—Red and Blue players, as it will be addressed from now on—with Blues having six players in their team and Reds having four.

The game starts with the Reds in possession in the central square. The four players play a 4v2 rondo against the two Blues who are chasing the ball.

The Reds number of touches is limited, and it can change depending on your idea, but the initial task is for them to play a two-touch game.

They get a point whenever they come up with 15 passes, so the game has its competitive character.

Here we can see the visual of the game with Reds playing the rondo and the two of the Blues trying to win the ball.

Whenever the ball is lost it comes to the switch in possession, but in the bigger area of the two, now making blues the numerical superior side who try to keep the ball in the 6v4 scenario.

The task for them is also to get to t