By Anthony Hazelwood
The following activity has two teams of four playing a 4 vs. 2 possession game including transitional moments. Two defenders play in numerical inferiority vs. four attackers in one grid. The idea is for the defenders to win the ball and send it to two teammates waiting in a connecting grid. Once this happens, the two defenders join teammates and create a 4 vs. 2 of their own. 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: Two Rectangles: 20 yds. L x 15 yds. W.
Total Activity Time: 13 Minutes.
Sets: 1 set.
Activity Repetitions: 5 repetitions.
Time of Activity Repetition: 2 minutes.
Recovery Time: 30 seconds.
Intensity: High.
Objectives:
• Tactical: Defending in numerical inferiority, possession, and transitions.
• 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 two 20-yd. x 15 yd.
• Place four black shirt players in one grid with two yellow shirt players defending.
• To begin, four players in black team and two players in yellow team (numerical inferiority) play in a rectangle.
• Points are scored for every 5 passes.
• Once the defending team wins the ball, they send to players waiting on opposite grid and they transfer there.
• The team that was possessing send two defenders and two other players are waiting in their own grid for transitional purposes.
Coaching Points:
• High competitive mindset when defending down in numbers.
• Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication.
• Ability to display proper ball speed.
• Correct supporting angles and distances when in attack, defense and transitions.
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.
