CLAUDIO GIRALDEZ, POSSESSION 4 vs 4 +4

🧩 1. Exercise description

Ball conservation drill with outside support, oriented to work on numerical superiority (8v4) in small spaces. The defending team seeks to recover the ball a certain number of times to rotate its role, favoring collective pressure, decision making in short spaces and the efficient use of support.

🗺 2. Organization and development

• Space: 20×20 or 30×30 meters square.

• Teams: three teams of 4 players.

• Disposition:

  • 1 team (4 players) acts as defender inside the space.

  • The other two teams:

    • 3 players are positioned as outside linebackers.

    • 1 player from each team inside, forming an 8v4 (6 outside + 2 inside).

• Dynamics:

  • The defending team tries to recover the ball.

  • After 5 recoveries (or the established number), the defense role is rotated.

  • It can be played with free touch or with contact limitation.

🎯 4. Tips or main aspects

• Encourage fast play and the use of the third man.

• Encourage mobility and body orientation of the supports.

• In defense, work on coverages, timing and collective pressing.

• Control intensity and pace to maintain technical quality.

🔄 3. Variants

• Limit the number of touches (e.g., two contacts).

• Increase or reduce the number of external supports.

• Adding goalkeepers or mini-goals to define after recovery.

• Introduce progression zones to simulate pressure output.