P2 : Part #2 - The 2v2 Level - Beginners / low intermediates:

TST 2v2 session Curriculum

Text book : 2v2 Model Session : Summary

Summary : Model session

Below is a very simple summary of the standard 2v2 session format*. (You can do your own games etc but it must look like a TST session).

All groups :

1. Zombie scarecrow...add in the technical elements they will need in the 2v1. [All players together]

Move to individual groups.

2. Play a 'clever' 2v1.
3. Tech practice : short sharp simple
- Foot-shape ball mastery (see flipbooks on website)
- Practice techs that will pop in the 1v1s
- 'nudge touches, pop touches, turns, drags, Vs'
- Add in control and passes
- Add in races that test the above......
4. Play a clever 'Pass and press' 1v1.
5. Play a possession game that brings all the above together.
- A very basic 2 square 3v1
- A very basic 2v2b possession

All groups :

6. 2v2 promo relations [All players]

Note this plan is based on 4 players per coach !

TST 2v2 session Curriculum

2v2 Model Session (more detail)

Part #1 : Zombie / Scarecrow

1. All Players : (One coach in charge) : Scarecrow / Zombie

Emphasize the 3 key coaching points / learning opportunities =>
- Keep ball close,
- keep the head up,
- Use the space to get away from the zombie.
Tell players to
- Not panic or rush.
- Not try to beat (take on) the zombie -> 'zombies don't chase you if a players turn away to space'.

Then Split into groups :

Part #2 : Start with a 'clever' 2v1 game

1. Clever 2v1 for beginners : Teach the game before you develop technique. [Context comes first].

Play this on the 2v2 pitch.
- There are 2 attackers at one end and 2 goals at the opposite end.
- Each attacker has their own goal and can't score in the other goal.
- The 1 defender is at the other end. Passes the ball to an attacker to start the game.
- The defender stops the attackers form scoring.
- The attackers have to choose ; Do i try to score or should i pass.
- The defenders have to choose : Do i block a goal or do i block the pass.
- If the defender gets it - then let them score in any goal (4) to get an extra point!
Coaching Points
- Should be obvious

Part #3a : Footshapes, foot dexterity, co-ordination, strength and conditioning.

TST foot shapes homework :

5 min max [Isolate Practice].
Basic 'foot-shapes' using exercises are in the online resource / flip-books .
Remind them that it is their homework (Link : TST Online on the website).

Part #3b : Tech development : Running with ball exercises : Nudge Touches, pop touches and Turns.

In terms of running with the ball - Make it fun . Add goals. Do Races.

At all levels : Add in a pass in to a goal (and a control touch and if possible) - so use this to practice passing (Goals make it more fun!).

Running with ball

L.1. Less advanced : Just practice 'nudge touches (touch step touch step touch - dominant foot) and turns' initially.
L.2 : Next level : Then you could do things like use insides only, outsides only, right foot only, left foot only, bottom of the foot [if you wanted to make it more complicated].
L.3 : More advanced : Practice key footwork Patterns (no cones) : Inside switch Outside : Inside step Outside : Inside Inside. (5 min max).
- If a player can do this they should be in the 3v3 sessions

Footwork should use 'Racing car' analogy - be fun!
You can change the focus of the race to saying 'the player who finishes second' wins....so now they get their head up.

Part #3c : Add control, passing and finishing technique if needed.

Develop good control, passing and finishing technique (T-shape development) but use games (and gentle reminders on the run) to develop this amap.

Dont do dry boring practice based exercises.
Ideally add control and pass into the races.

If isolation is needed :

Play games that develops 'T-shape' control / passing.
Games : 'Through the gate' / 'hit a cone'.

4. Play a 2v1 game that's about passing and control and teamwork.

A 2v1 (where each attacker has their own goal.
- Re the defender. If they win the ball, they can score in any (all 4 if on a big pitch) goals.

Part #3d : make it fun ! Introduce it ! practice it ! race it ! Move on !

Part #4. Play pass and press 1v1 games

This is all about the 'race to space'.
Set up the game (add constraints so that it is all about finding the space).

Part #5 : Possession

Play
2v2(ball) possession games or
Can players keep possession away form the coach (a 3v1 maybe).

Teach movement and Teamwork !!

Part #6 : 2v2

All players : Play 2v2s (up and down)

Put it all together.

Extra Notes

AVOID 'FFPs and isolated cone work'.
- If players are ready for FFPs / cone work then they have possibly out grown the 2v2 level.
- Nudge touches (dominant foot) and turns are ok.

If players are 'standing out' : they need to move up a group.
- When players start to excel in the 2v2 games we would look to move them up to a 3v3 group.

Notes
- If your sessions are not going well - remember it is your fault (so you need to fix your mistakes).
- If you pitch it right, then session will be fine.

Massive TST tips
- Avoid queues and periods of inactivity / downtime.
- Give players there own space if there are 4 players or less.
- No more than 2 players per space [if it is not possible to give each player their own space].
- Never have 3 players using the same space (3 players means as '1 works the other 2 will disengage').
- Don't give players a chance to disengage.

TST Curriculum 2025 : Parts #1 - #6

Use this table to navigate the full TST curriculum

Check out these pages before you start coaching in a new term at TST.
Page	1	Part #1 - 3 main levels at TST
		Notes for new Coaches
Page	2	Part #2 - The 2v2 Level - Beginners / low intermediates:
Page	3	Part #3 - The 3v3 Level - Pre NPL:
Page	4	Part #4 - NPL (2011 and older) level players - The Game intelligence Level
Page	5	Part #5 - Fundamental Foot shapes (FFSs) breakdown [Apply where necessary].
Page	6	Part #6 - Developing FFPs