Is this the new best session activator in youth soccer?

Develop 1v1 and 2v1 skills in your youth players!
John Kokkoris
3Four3 Coaching 343coaching.com/
00:00 Start
00:11 Why Battle Boxes?
01:28 Setup
02:51 1v1 Basic
06:09 1v1 Pass/Receive
08:40 2v1 Basic

[@jarradchin9565]

Did the 1v1 exercises with our U10s in the last couple of training sessions and the kids loved it. Incorporated the throw-in variation to get some useful practice on that aspect as well. Great video, glad I discovered your channel!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Awesome. Thanks!

[@JamesC729]

Great drill, will be doing this on Tuesday at training. We used your other defensive video last week and there is improvement already with our players. Thank you so much!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Great. Let me know how it goes!

[@CoachAlexL]

Great drill - thanks Coach. We just used it for the first time at practice yesterday with our U11 team. It was a hit!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Fantastic!

[@SuperFootballDrills]

I definitely support the idea of using these instead of or as well as RONDOs for younger players. Attacking Coaching Points I would use are simply changes of direction and speed. Also, trying out any new skills to trick and wrong foot the defender.

[@djtwanza]

Very cool! Gonna try this, thanks for sharing!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Let me know how it goes!

[@conrailhbgline]

I've been using this the last few practices instead of the 2v2/3v3 warmup games. I think it gets the kids right into it a bit more than the "free play" games. Thanks for posting it.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Totally agree. I’ve completely stopped 2v2/3v3 activators. This is what I do first 15-20 mins of practice every session. And sometimes if it’s a bit lively I’ll extend the time out. The boys get into these big time.

[@mrwhite9]

Great stuff, coach! We have a coaching mentor in our league that showed these by a different name. He encouraged us to have multiple variations on it where the players enter from opposite sides, then opposite corners, then same sides, and even with an attacker and defender starting in the middle. Very flexible and applicable drill!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Oh absolutely there are a ton of varieties. I’m going to do another vid showing more. Love to hear others versions as well.

[@mercycubed]

1st time rec coach here. I started my 1st ever practice as a coach with the battle box and used it for 1v1, passing, receiving, closing space, and throw-ins. The format was great for functional development and player eval, and was only limited by what I could imagine to do with it. Thanks for sharing.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Excellent. Yeah there are a ton of variations. I’ll probably do a follow up video showing some more of them.

[@lukehugz]

Thanks for sharing these practices Rory. I’ll definitely try these out with our U7 and U10 teams 🙏🏻⚽️🏅

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Let me know it goes!

[@cameronhill4000]

I just recently got a U9 and U10 team so I am very excited to try this out with them this upcoming season. Thank you for creating these great coaching resources! #MOT

[@CoachRorySoccer]

MOT!! Let me know how it goes

[@lobachevskyyy]

Did it with my u9 kids today. I only did 2v1. Broke them up into two groups of 6 and for my weaker group I used coach as pressure, while assistant coach ran it for stronger group using only kids for all positions. Great drill, definitely helps with kids soccer IQ, dribbling and passing. I plan to use it every practice this year, while gradually increasing difficulty. Thanks!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Fantastic!

[@jk3838]

Thanks Another great drill Will give this a try with my U10s Very much appreciated

[@CoachRorySoccer]

I do tHese every session now

[@michaeldoyle8557]

Thanks, Coach. I love these and plan to use them. I agree that SSG games can get out of hand at times. I try to put conditions on them to create some order. They also have a shooting element that these do not which I like. Do you ever add a goal at the top and bottom of the box to add shooting?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Yes you can absolutely had in a goal. I like to wait on that until kids get the concepts of 1v1s and 2v1s. I am planning a follow up video going over some additional varieties of battle boxes.

[@MrBrauk]

Thanks. I like this. The 2v1 variant may be an easy place to introduce or reinforce overloads so they are more prepared for it during the more free-form play of the 4-goal SSG later in practice.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

True. Let me know how it goes!!

[@strikingtwice]

These are really great. We are going 9v 9 in the fall and my team increase in numbers significantly, so this will be a great addition to practices and splitting them up into smaller groups.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

How many are you rostering?

[@johnhahn1877]

This is great coach Rory. I can see a lot of teaching moments coming out of all of these variations. Thanks!!

[@johnhahn1877]

Hey coach, something I've not been able to find that perhaps you can suggest, you cover attacking building from the back through finishing...I would love to see strategy for all players (7v7) on D, from initial press through what players should cover and how they should react as the other team is able to carry the ball down to their scoring end. Would you have that covered? Thanks!

[@zsduncan]

😅😅

[@titicolopez6478]

excellent

[@dylanp3536]

Really like this activation drill and great name for it. Our girls will be trying this out at the weekend. Thanks again Rory ⭐

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Awesome. Let me know how it goes!

[@dylanp3536]

@@CoachRorySoccer went well today. Just did the 1st drill and after a few minutes the girls got the hang of the exercise. They seemed to carry on the good habits throughout the training session.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

@@dylanp3536 nice!

[@CoachRyanFootball]

would love to see a video on the battle boxes you came up with on your own, how you use them, and footage of your teams training with them.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Planning a follow up video on more battle boxes. Including my own variations.

[@parias_sky9845]

This is great concept just like you mentioned at the start of the video. I was also getting a tad frustrated with the small sided games

[@CoachRorySoccer]

You’ll love these. There are a ton of variations etc but start with these

[@CoachRyanFootball]

good video, Rory. and I totally agree: these battle boxes are much better activators for young players as they arrive to a session than simple SSGs. also agree that the 3four3 7v7 course is excellent.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

💯 great info all around.

[@3four3]

Well done, Rory. 👏

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Thank you!

[@Bootsystem66]

As always., thank you coach Rory. I've started a new u7 and wondering if this session can be used. Also, are you able to make your cones more visible please

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Yeah this could be done at u7 but probably will need to do the more basic battle boxes.

[@c4lvitron]

Could you make a video on how you handle the skills homework assignments?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Sure. The club I am at uses an app called techne which is really great in terms of at home self training etc.

[@c4lvitron]

@@CoachRorySoccer I'll check it out! I have thoroughly enjoyed all of your videos :)

[@davidgeist8525]

Your opening comments about being frustrated with small sided games resonates with me. My only concern with this activator is the kids standing and waiting. Do you find that to be the case? I'm wondering if there were 2 defenders in that first battle box, each facing a corner with a player dribbling in. The players with the ball have to get past the defenders but also avoid the traffic coming the other way. What do you think? Too much chaos? If there was 1 defender in the first drill you could let them go for a set number of defensive turns (against 10 attackers) and whoever has the best defensive record wins. I'm going to try some of this on Thursday. Thanks!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

As long as you have 5-6 kids per box there isn’t much standing and I find they often need the short break. These are fast and furious. Try the two defenders let me know how it goes. The boxes are relatively small so maybe it would be too much chaos. But I like a bit of chaos in my sessions.

[@CoachRyanFootball]

@davidgeist8525 agree with Rory. short lines, David. also like your idea of two groups going at same time so there is some chaos and players need to have their eyes up. I would probably make the box a bit bigger in that situation with younger players.

[@davidgeist8525]

@@CoachRorySoccer Will do. Love the content! Appreciate the response as well.

[@davidgeist8525]

@@CoachRyanFootball Definitely agree on the larger boxes. May start small with 1 defender for a set number of runs then expand the box and introduce another defender if they do well

[@davidgeist8525]

@@CoachRorySoccer 5-6 is definitely the magic number Rory. I've brought these into practices with a U9 team and a U12 team and the boys really like it.

[@jpcc815]

I'm using this to start practice today

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Let me know how it goes!

[@jpcc815]

@@CoachRorySoccer I will for sure! I explained what's going on with my defenders

[@jpcc815]

@@CoachRorySoccer well they only lost 0-2. They played better. They have only had 1 sub a game for the last 2 games and 3 scrimmages. I had them scrimmage twice this week. Once against the team that whooped us 4-0. We played them last night 3-1 was the outcome. One goal they kicked in from the corner while the play was dead and we just played it (scrimmage) It was 1-1 at the end of 3 quarters. They got excited and lost focus. In my 3-2-1 I have my central defender push up and initiate attack. I have my best back move into a stopper position and we switch to a 2-4 attacking. Basically in a diamond. They are told to look for their triangle. And they have been doing much better with holding position. We got lucking our game for Saturday is switched to Oct 5th. So we will be able to get another practice in. Last time we played this team it was 2-2. We are looking to take this game and still finish the season with a winning record💯💪

[@CoachRorySoccer]

@@jpcc815 nice! Good luck

[@jpcc815]

@@CoachRorySoccer this season is in the dirt. Parents are missing constantly. Rotation and starters change every game. I'm just trying to preach fundamentals. Passing. Using your space. Making your runs. Not giving up. Playing until the final whistle. Working hard pays off, try hard at thing you want. The growth over the last 2 weeks is huge! Your 1v1 4 come drill is helping them and they love it. You have helped me a ton with this bunch. Best of all is they are still having fun. My step son is playing up. Next year it should even put with talent. These other kids are just so much bigger then my team it's crazy! If we would have played in the u6 it wouldn't be a competition. So they are learning humility as well. They believe in themselves and they are building! That's what matters. My core is really really working hard and getting better each practice

[@Tex_155]

This is great as a replacement as a activator. Do you still like 4 goal games in your sessions?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

I do. Helps especially with concepts of switching field.

[@Tex_155]

@@CoachRorySoccer thanks! Getting ready for a new rec season and I’m using your session outline as a guide.

[@USCCUSMA]

Do you have a battle box that you incorporate goal keepers?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Certainly could. I haven’t done this yet but like the idea.

[@coachjune928]

Hey Rory, how do you like 343? I've been long considering it. Curious if we could talk in detail about your experiences with it. Thanks

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Huge fan. You’re taking about the coaching education right? Not the formation? Been a member now I believe 8 years. Much of my own philosophy and methods stems from them.

[@coachjune928]

@@CoachRorySoccer yes, i meant 3four3 the education platform. I've been flirting with joining. I think that I will when the new club year begins. Thanks!

[@coachjune928]

I was able to sign up for their 7v7 program. Great stuff so far! Thanks for the encouragement.

[@mattward4118]

my kids hate the word rondo and battle box sounds infinitely cooler

[@CoachRorySoccer]

😂 it does have the cool factor!!!

[@TheMurrayMints2023]

It's not a rondo though

[@ryanmillertradingeconomics8183]

Why have you completely stopped 2v2 and 3v3? Why do you think the battle boxes are better? Thanks

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Didn’t feel it was the best use of first 15 mins of practice. I only have 3 hours per week so if I’m doing 30 mins to activate I want to make sure it’s getting me 1v1 or 2v1 scenarios I want and for me it just wasn’t enough. These battle boxes get kids in the exact situations I’m looking for multiple times in tight spaces.

[@ryanmillertradingeconomics8183]

@@CoachRorySoccer Makes sense. I am in the same situation with regards to time. I am going to start implementing these. Thank you!

[@teamswatsoftball]

I've got a u10 girls team (7v7) that is stil learning how not to play Bumblebee soccer. Would this be too advanced?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

No you could this.

[@MikeBaas]

I thought it was just me!

[@RobertGarcia915]

Great video coach! We’ll be doing these tonight. ⚽️🥅

[@CoachRorySoccer]

You’ll love these. I’ve just showed three varieties can do a lot more.