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

The Quick-Start Rules

Suppose you’re working with very new players who can, however, pass to some degree.. When your field and teams are ready, toss in a ball and yell, “Play!” For a few minutes, let the teams compete without any special rules. You’ll soon see the Three Deadly Habits. Players will kick the ball aimlessly, without looking for a teammate. They’ll fight with teammates for the ball. And their first touches will always send the ball forward.

These habits will kill your scrimmage session, but you can tame them with three Quick-Start Rules: No Aimless Booting, One Player on the Ball, and Touch It Back.

Enforce No Aimless Booting (NAB)

This rule reads as follows: "A player may not boot the ball without first looking up to survey the situation. If a player boots the ball without first looking up, the other team gets a free kick at the spot, even if the kick luckily found a teammate."

When a player boots the ball aimlessly as below, freeze the play and explain the rule: “Billy just kicked the ball forward, but he has no teammates there. That’s called a No Aimless Booting violation. You must look up, and pass to a teammate. Free kick for the other team!”

By pure luck, such aimless boots will sometimes reach a teammate. The culprit will then argue, “I was passing to Steve!” But did the player look up before kicking the ball? If not, stick with your NAB call.

Enforce One Player on the Ball (OPOB)

After a few minutes with the NAB rule, add the OPOB rule. Two players from the same team may not compete with each other for the ball. While one approaches the ball, the other must do something else. If two or more players from the same team hover over the ball, call an OPOB violation (see diagram). The penalty is a free kick for the other team.

Enforce Touch It Back (TIB)

When a player wins the ball or receives a pass, notice the direction of the first touch. Brand new players almost always send the first touch forward. The ball is then lost before other directions can be considered. Time to enforce the TIB rule.

The TIB Rule reads as follows: "A player’s first touch may not send the ball toward the other team’s goal. The consequence is a free kick for the other team. A violation is not called if a player:
A. Touches the ball to the side or back, and then forward.
B. Sends the first touch forward on a diagonal.
C. Looks to the rear, or fakes a drop pass, before making the first touch forward."

Here's a typical TIB violation:

The TIB Rule usually has a quick, magical impact. Players are forced to consider other directions, and fewer quick turnovers occur.

Summary

In a real match, such Quick-Start Rules should be broken at times. An aimless boot can keep the other team from scoring, and a first touch forward can launch a counterattack. Your players must understand these exceptions at some point.

For now, though, call as many violations as possible. The interruptions help players change. The only way to keep the coach quiet is to follow the rules! Toward the end of the first practice, you’ll see fewer violations. And several practices later, you’ll barely need the rules at all. They’ll be stuck in everyone’s mind.