Small Sided GamePossessionDirectionTarget Player
Possession vs Target SSG
Keep the ball, then find the target player to score — possession with a clear, directional purpose.
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
- Keep possession and look to play into your target player in the end zone.
- A completed pass to the target scores a point; the target sets it back to continue.
- Switch sides and angles to find the line into the target.
- 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