Drill Library
Small Sided GamePossessionDirectionTarget Player

Possession vs Target SSG

Keep the ball, then find the target player to score — possession with a clear, directional purpose.

Open diagram

Theme

Small Sided Game

Difficulty

Intermediate

Duration

18 min

Players (min–rec–max)

8–10–12

Area

30 × 35 yards

Session phase

Ssg

Age groups

U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U18, Adult

Equipment

cones, balls, bibs

Objective

Blend possession with direction: keep the ball to draw the opposition, then play into a target player to score.

Set-up

Two teams in a central area, each with a target player in an end zone. Score by passing into your target, who returns it to keep play alive.

How it runs

  1. Keep possession and look to play into your target player in the end zone.
  2. A completed pass to the target scores a point; the target sets it back to continue.
  3. Switch sides and angles to find the line into the target.
  4. If you lose it, react and win it back, or get compact.

Coaching points

  • Keep the ball to move the opposition and open the line to the target.
  • Play forward the instant the pass into the target is on.
  • Target player checks to create the passing angle.
  • Don't force it — recycle and try the other side.

Common mistakes

  • The possession team holds the ball with no intention of hitting the target — possession earns the target pass; demand the look.
  • The target player comes short and drags the whole point away — pin high, hold the line.
  • Defenders chase possession endlessly without a counter plan — winning it must trigger an instant attack.

Progressions

  • Target must set to a third runner to score.
  • Two-touch in the central area.
  • Add a second target each.

Regressions

  • Bigger area.
  • Add a floater.
  • Target can move along the whole end line.

Constraints

  • A point requires a completed pass into the target zone.

Tags

ssgpossessiondirectiontarget-player