Possession Theory | Quick-Start Rules
Bread and Butter Thoughtscrims | Advanced Thoughtscrims

Advanced Thoughtscrims

Here are three scrimmages to include as your players gain experience. Each gets at a different possession secet. Reset teaches that secret that goes, "When you can't score, retreat." Pass and Move teaches players to pass to space as well as to teammates. And Long Ball teaches players to pass long as well as short.

Reset

Reset resembles Three-and-a-Drop, because only three touches are allowed. But before scoring, teams must work the ball forward to the final zone, and then back past the halfway line (see diagram).

Rules for Reset

Field Lines. The field requires a rectangular final zone at each end, plus a halfway line. A final zone extends five paces in from the goal line, and runs the width of the field.
Reset Requirement. Before scoring, a team must move the ball forward into the final zone, and then back past the halfway line. This may be accomplished by passing, dribbling, or any combination of the two. Once the maneuver is completed, two consecutive touches by the other team erase the accomplishment. One touch by the other team does not.
Touch and Direction Rules. Each player is allowed only three touches at a time. A drop pass will usually occur during a Reset maneuver, but isn’t required.

The forward/backward requirement is challenging at first. Players will go straight to the final zone and lose the ball. A patient journey works better. Players will also wonder, “Why move the ball backward when moving it forward was so difficult?”

Here's why. Reset teaches three valuable lessons. All teammates are potential targets, no matter where they are on the field. A scoring try doesn't have to happen just because the ball is close to the goal. And a retreat is sometimes the only way to keep possession.

Pass-and-Move

Players should pass to space and to teammates. Pass-and-Move gets at this secret. Players must be in motion—before receiving a pass, and after making a pass. The diagram below shows a rule violation as well as an okay pass.

Rules for Pass-and-Move

Field Lines. The field requires goal lines and touch lines.
Touch Rule. Players are limited to three touches at a time.
Receiving Rule. The player receiving a pass must be running or jogging somewhere. If the player is stationary when receiving a pass, a violation has occurred, and the other team is given a free kick. The player may avoid a violation, however, by letting the ball run past. The player may then chase after the ball, or let it roll to a teammate.
Passing Rule. After passing the ball, a player must immediately move at least three steps in any direction. A violation is called if the passing player remains in the same spot. After moving at least three steps, the passing player may return to the original spot.

Pass-and-Move encourages several positive habits. Players begin passing to space, and seeing new passing targets. After passing, players become targets themselves. And rather than standing in set positions, players swap positions on the fly. Habits with such great results will last!

Long Ball

Long Ball reminds players to pass long as well as short. Before scoring, a team must complete at least one long pass. The field markings define what constitutes a long pass (see diagram).

Rules for Long Ball

Field Lines. The field requires final zones at each end of the field, and side zones along each touch line. A final zone extends five paces onto the field, while a side zone extends three paces onto the field.
Long Pass Rule. Before scoring, a team must complete at least one long pass. For the past to be considered long, the ball must travel from one final zone to the other, in either direction, or from one side zone to the other. The pass may bounce, or travel through the air. Once a team has completed a long pass, two consecutive touches by the other team erase the accomplishment. One touch by the other team does not.
Two-Point Goals. Goals normally result in one point. However, if a team completes two or more long passes during the possession, the resulting goal counts as two points. When one long pass has been completed, the coach should call out, “One!” When a second long pass has been completed, the coach should call out, “Two!”

Long Ball’s habits will also last. Players begin seeing near and far at the same time. Players away from the ball, knowing they’ll be seen, make clever runs. And the long passes sometimes lead to goals.