Teamwork session: tap-ins

SESSION

Key objectives

This session will help players:

understand each other's movements when assisting
time their runs in the final third
use combinations to finish on goal
communicate with one another
work together as a team.

England Football Learning

2 mins - Oct 14, 2022

Tap-ins

Set up a pitch for a 5v5 game and mark out a zone at each end - players can only score in these zones.
Players need to set their teammates up for a simple tap-in.

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Session plan

Want to try this with your team? Download the session plan and give it a go.

Organisation

This practice is a small-sided game played in a 4v4 or 5v5 format, including goalkeepers.

Create a pitch suitable for your players' age and developmental stage. Then, use flat spots to mark a zone at either end, starting just outside each penalty area.

How to play

This game starts with a kick-off. Then, the aim is to outscore your opponent, but only 'tap-ins' count.

A tap-in is when a player lays a sideways or backwards pass to someone in the clear, allowing for an easy, empty-net finish.

In the game, these goals can only be scored in the areas marked at either end of the pitch.

Once a tap-in is scored, the play resets with a kick-off.

Play for five to ten minutes. Then, count the scores before adding in any progressions.

If you have a large squad, play this activity as a ‘golden goal’ tournament. Have multiple games kick-off simultaneously, but once a tap-in is scored on any pitch, all matches stop, and that team wins the round.

Progression

If your players master your activity – or find it too hard – try adding a progression. One idea could be to turn the zones at either end of the pitch into ‘offside lines’. This will put more focus on refining the timing of runs and passes.

Whatever you do, remember that learning takes time. So don’t alter your activity too quickly – or too much. Try using the STEP framework (Youth Sports Trust, 2002). This helps keep things fun, engaging and appropriate.

Plan to use this with your team? Let us know how you get on by posting in the England Football Community.