By Alex Trukan
This practice is focused on developing players’ aerobic capabilities which are responsible for quick recovery between high intensity actions. If a player has a stronger aerobic system, it will mean that he will be able to produce high intensity actions more often during the match, with fatigue building up slower. In this practice, the conditioning element is combined with team possession and switching play as the tactical focus. It also incorporates a lot of passing and receiving technical practice for the players. From the other point of view, this practice can be also used to work on defending principles – press, support, cover and screen.
Set-Up and Directions
Organise a 15 x 20 yards area. Divide the team into two groups – defending group of 3 players, and attacking one with 6 players. Mark out a 3 yards wide strip going across in the middle of the playing area. Prepare a sufficient amount of balls to feed in. Three defenders start in the middle area. Three attackers should be positioned in both bigger areas.
The practice starts with a coach playing the ball into the attacking players. As soon as the ball is played in, one of the defenders can go into attacking zone and try to win the ball back.
Three attackers in possession try to secure possession of the ball as a team and make at least three passes. In case defender wins the ball, he tries to keep it 1v3.
As soon as three passes are made, the ball can be transferred into the attackers in the opposite zone. This pass can be only played on the ground. Two other defenders try to intercept the pass. As the ball gets to the opposite attackers, one defender can go in and try to win the ball back.
Timing
Practice should be played 4-8 minutes and repeated 4-6 times with 2 minutes rest in between.
Variations
- 8v4/10v5
- Increase/decrease size of the area
- 5 passes before the ball can be transferred
By Alex Trukan, Development Coach, Nottingham Forest
@AlexTrukan
