Possession warm-up game in hand-holding pairs: pass the ball without any pair letting go
Linkalde exercise
How it works
- Who starts
- A1, of the blue pair at the top left, with the ball.
- Who takes part
- Three blue pairs (A1 to A6) and three red pairs (R1 to R6).
- What the ball does
- It passes from pair to pair by hand; five consecutive passes score.
- How to score
- One point for every five consecutive passes between different pairs.
- When it ends
- After two minutes of each block.
- How it restarts
- The referee gives the ball to the team that did not lose it.
- How players rotate
- Each team changes the make-up of its pairs.
Number of players
12-16 players
Format
Possession in hand-holding pairs
Recommended
3 × 10 min
Rest 30s · Medium intensity
Space
Small-sided space
Space
20×20 m
Goal
Warm up with a playful possession activity that forces players to coordinate movement with a partner and to look at the free space before passing.
Description
A 20 x 20 m area marked with four cones. Two teams of six players, blues and reds, divided into three pairs per team. In each pair the two players hold hands throughout the game. One ball only. The team with the ball has possession; the other team tries to win it without letting go of their partner's hand. The balls are passed with the hands, from pair to pair, and the pass is always made by one hand of the player, the free one. If a pair lets go, the ball goes to the other team. Consecutive passes are counted: five passes between different pairs are worth one point.
Step by step
- 1
The pair of A1 and A2 passes to the pair of A3 and A4.
- 2
The pair of A3 and A4 passes to that of A5 and A6, who come closer holding hands.
Rules
The pairs move holding hands and may not let go. The pass is made with the free hand. It is not allowed to pass twice in a row to the same pair. If the ball falls to the ground or a pair lets go, possession changes. To steal, the ball must be intercepted with the hands or the foot, without pushing or pulling a pair's hand away. One point for every five consecutive passes.
Equipment
- Ball
- 4 cones
- Bibs in 2 colours
Physical focus
Recommended times by goal
- Tactical: 3 × 3'20" · rest 0'30" · Medium intensityOrientativo
Rotation and restart
Every two minutes the pairs of each team swap partners: the second player of each pair joins the next pair of their team, in a circle, and new pairs are formed.
Coaching points
- Move holding hands and at the same pace.
- Look at the free space before passing.
- Do not pass to someone who is already marked.
- Defenders press the passing lane.
Common mistakes
Letting go of the hand when turning.
How to correct: Turn at the same time, with short steps.
Always passing to the nearest pair.
How to correct: Look at all three pairs and choose the free one.
Pulling each other's hand when running.
How to correct: One partner sets the pace and the other follows.
Questions for the players
- “How do you coordinate with your partner when you have to sprint?”
- “What signals do you give each other to change direction?”
Levels
- A · easyNo active opposition: the opponents only position themselves as passive defenders.
- B · standardAs described.
- C · advancedThe pass is made with the foot and the pairs stay holding hands.
If you have fewer or more players
- With 8 fewer: Two pairs per team on 16 x 16 m. (Pairs possession two against two)
- With more: Two pitches with the same rule. (Two pairs possession games)
- With odd numbers: The extra player acts as a fixed neutral player with the team that has the ball.
Age
Variations
- With the foot. The pass is made with the foot and the pairs stay holding hands.
- Against the clock. If the ball is not passed within five seconds, it goes to the other team.
Source: Gesdep (adaptado)