By Anthony Hazelwood
The following activity has two teams of three playing a 3 vs. 3 possession game including two bumper neutral players. Team play 3 vs. 3 in a middle zone and keep possession with a bumper player located at each side of the grid. The idea is for the team in possession to keep the ball by using the width to break out of pressure. The specific fitness target is intermittent endurance while adapting the player’s anaerobic capacity in a small sided group format.
When preparing the practice, 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: 20 yds. L x 30 yds. W and an extra 5 yd. zone on each side.
Total Activity Time: 18 minutes.
Sets: 1 set.
Activity Repetitions: 6 repetitions.
Time of Activity Repetition: 2 minutes.
Recovery Time: 1 minute.
Intensity: High.
Objectives:
• Tactical: Switching the point of attack, possession, support.
• Fitness: Muscle Tension activity with anaerobic capacity training adaptations.
• Technique: Proper fitness and off/on the ball execution/techniques.
• Mental-Emotional: Players fully engaged and concentration is high.
• Concentration Level: High.
Setup:
• Mark out a 20 yds. L x 30 yds. W and an extra 5 yd. zone on each side.
• Two teams of three in the middle zone and add a bumper player on each side of the grid.
• Play begins with a team trying to combine and make 7 seven points to score a goal.
• Two points are awarded if the ball circulates from side to middle player to side player.
• Progression: Make 5 passes and then cross over line (make it directional).
Coaching Points:
• High competitive mindset.
• Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication off and on the ball.
• Support
• Ball Circulation
• Body angles
By Anthony Hazelwood
Coach Anthony is a USSF “A” licensed coach with an M.S. in Sports Training and Nutrition and a B.S. in Physical Education. Currently, he is an Assistant and Sports Performance coach with the Miami FC. He has previous European youth academy coaching experience as a soccer fitness and strength/conditioning assistant coach with Levante U.D. and Getafe SAD in Valencia and Madrid, Spain.
