The following activity is a favorite warm up of Jose Mourinho from when he was at Chelsea.  It is a simple pass and move activity involving five attacking players.

 5v1

Set Up:

5 attacking players working on half the field. Keeper in goal. Coach on half way line with a supply of balls. Players 4 and 5 on 18 yard line the width of the six yard area apart. Players 2 and 3 level with the tip of the center circle and the width of the six yard area apart. Player 1 in the middle of the four players..

Explanation:

Coach serves the ball to 1 who lays off to 2 or 3. 2 plays 4 or 3 plays 5. 4 can play to 5 and vice-versa or 4 and 5 can play back to 1. 2 and 3 make forward runs in support. Any player facing the goal can look to finish. Players can change positions. Patterns can vary based on the movement of the players – Coach to 1 to 3 to 4 to 2 for finish.

Coaching Points:

• Pace on the pass
• Quality one and two touch passing
• Play the way facing
• Quality and pace of support
• Finishing