U11–U12 Combination Play

Standard 4v1. Rule: after every pass you must take at least 2 steps to a new position. No standing after passing. This rule enforces the 'pass and move' habit that makes the combination session possible. 10 minutes, competitive, high reps.

Two players, one ball, passive defender. Player A passes to Player B, immediately runs in behind the defender. Player B plays first-time back into A's run. 6 reps each pair. Name it: 'That is a give-and-go.' The key: A must run BEFORE the pass arrives at B — the run starts when A's foot leaves the ball, not after.

Three attackers, one defender. A passes to B. A then makes a decoy run. B passes to C who runs in behind. The third man is C — the player who doesn't touch the first pass but arrives to receive the second. Walk through it three times before adding the defender. Once understood: 4 reps at pace. Bonus: if the third man scores, that combination gets called 'third man' aloud.

7v7 (or 9v9). Bonus scoring: give-and-go that creates a shot = 2 pts. Third-man run that creates a shot = 3 pts. Overlap that produces a cross or shot = 2 pts. Any goal = 1 pt. Coach calls bonus points aloud when they occur. Target: at least 3 bonus point sequences in 25 minutes. If none occur by 10 minutes, pause for 60 seconds and demonstrate one combination, then resume.