By Anthony Hazelwood
The following activity has individual players working on their soccer specific muscle strength. A two vs. two player session with two GK’s and sideline targets is played in a 28yd. x 23yd. area. One target player is placed for each team on the sidelines and is restricted to one touch play. This is a great activity to work on all moments of the game while working on soccer specific muscle strength actions and developing anaerobic capacity.
When preparing the activity, if needed, concentration and difficulty levels may be increased by having players execute something extra unique by setting more restrictions. Every activity may be modified, and it is up to the coach to be creative. However, it is important to respect the parameters of the exercise time, the rest, the types of actions used and the weekly periodization of the activity.
Additionally, it is beneficial to train a soccer team and its players with all the elements of the game being present in the session. By doing so, it will promote soccer specific adaptations to the player’s body, mind, and emotional triad. Ultimately, these adjustments will enhance their real-time game performances on a physical, emotional, conscious, and subconscious mental level.
Area Size: 28yd. x 23 yd. area.
Total Activity Time: 16 Minutes.
Sets: 1.
Activity Time: 2 minutes.
Recovery Interval Time: 2 minutes (become sideline players).
Intensity: High.
Objectives:
• Tactical: Attack – Mobility, anticipate ad look to score; Defense – Pressure and cover, Stop shots.
• Fitness: Maintain high intense corporal actions.
• Technique: Proper fitness and off/on the ball execution/techniques.
• Mental-Emotional: Players fully engaged and concentration is high.
• Concentration Level: High.
Setup:
• Create a 28 yd. x 23 yd. area.
• Two vs. two players in the playing area with big goals.
• Two GK’s and one sideline target player for each team.
• Play for two minutes.
• Sideline target players play one touch and starting positions should be closer to their team’s goal.
• If players have a clear shot on goal, then they should execute it.
• After two minutes rotate sideline players to play inside and visa-versa.
By Anthony Hazelwood
Current Seattle Sounders Academy Performance Coach with previous European academy coaching experience as an assistant fitness and strength/conditioning soccer coach with Levante U.D. (2013-2014) and Getafe SAD CF (2015-2016) in Valencia and Madrid, Spain respectively. A USSF “A” licensed coach with a BSc in Physical Education and an MSc in Sports Training and Nutrition.
