By Alex Trukan
This practice is aimed at developing players’ capacity to maintain the number of actions throughout the game – aerobic power. This physical component is fundamental to further develop other conditioning attributes such as strength or speed. In addition to that, it challenges players’ passing as well as movement off the ball qualities. It also develop their tactical understanding of when to play forwards and when to keep possession. This conditioning practice is suitable for almost all age groups and ability levels. It can be also adapted to suit number requirements.
Set up and directions
Organise one big area further divided into four squares of approximately 8 x 8 yards. Divide the team into three groups of three (two attackers and one defender). Each group should find their own square and a ball. One square should be left free. Prepare a sufficient supply of balls to ensure intensity and flow of the practice.
The aim of the two attacking players in each square is to keep possession by making passes away from the defender. The defender in turn will try to get in possession and dribble the ball out of the square to score a point.
Each pair tries to make at least 10 passes. If this is achieved, the aim is to try and change the square – get into the square which is free. There will be always one square available so the teams can compete against each other.
Player can be further challenged that the ball can’t be passed into the new square but it should be dribbled by one of the players. The defender might use this moment of transition to win the ball back.
Timing
This practice should be played for 1-3 minutes and be repeated 6-10 times in 2 series. The rest time between repetitions should be 1-3 minutes and between series – 4 minutes.
Variations
- 3v1/4v1/5v2 in the boxes
- Increase/decrease the playing area
- Whichever team changes the square 4 times, wins the game
By Alex Trukan, Development Coach, Nottingham Forest
@AlexTrukan
