The Xavi game

Skill: passing and control

“Barcelona’s three best players – Messi, Xavi and Iniesta – are each no taller than 5ft 7in, proving that there is still a place for small, skilful players, providing that coaches give them a chance.”

Equipment – goals, 2 sets of bibs and balls

When Barcelona beat Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League Final it took football to yet another level. Barcelona as Spain had done a year earlier in Euro 2008 played a wonderfully fluid, possession game based on short passing and intelligent movement off the ball.

Teams are playing catch up and working on a style of play that involves the following;

• Building from the back
• Keeping the ball
• One and two touch passing – mainly below head height
• Change in tempo
• Turning and keeping the ball in tight spaces & fluidity of movement.

This game celebrates this wonderful style of play, utilising quick one and two touch passing in the team’s own half before unlimited touches in the opponents half.

• 5v5
• Keepers roll the ball out under arm only.
• Play one/two touch only in own half – unlimited touches in opponents half.

This game takes the best of both worlds – quick short one and two touch passing and also the chance to be creative in the oppositions half with dribbling, give and goes, slide rule passes and clinical finishing.

“I enjoy myself when I have the ball. I am still a little kid. I spent my childhood with a ball at my feet and I still love having one.” Xavi