By Alex Trukan
This practice is aimed at developing players’ aerobic power which is responsible for recovery speed in between high intensity actions. Players with more powerful aerobic system will be able to make more sprints and bursts with their fatigue building up slower. This game also focuses on possession to play away from pressure and transition both from attack and defence. It challenges players’ passing and staying on the ball skills in tight spaces. The practice forces players to be switched on and react to winning and losing the ball quickly.
Set up and directions
Organise a 20 x 20 yard box and further split it into two halves. Divide the group into two teams of six. One half is used for 6v3 scenario. The remaining three players from the defending team start on the other half of the area. Prepare a sufficient supply of balls to ensure flow of the practice. Area size can be adapted to suit players’ needs.
The practice starts with overloaded team being in possession of the ball and trying to make certain number of passes (set by a coach). Three defending players try to win the ball back. Intensity and desire in and out of possession should be emphasized.
If the defending team wins the ball back, their aim is to transfer it into the three players on the other half. As the ball is transferred, three defenders would be looking to make supporting runs and get into their own half. Three nearest players from the team that lost possession will also change the halves and try to win the ball back from the other team.
In case the team in possession manages to make certain number of passes without losing possession, the ball should be passed to the other half and player changes made as described above – 3 defending players join in to support attacking team and 3 players from the team that was attacking come across to defend. The game then continues on the other half. If the ball goes out, it is restarted from a pass in.
Timing:
Practice should be played 4-8 minutes and repeated 4-6 times with 2 minutes rest in between.
Variations:
- 4v2/8v4/10v5
- Pass to the other half must be played off one touch/on the ground/in the air
- Add goals – score after you make certain amount of passes
By Alex Trukan, Development Coach, Nottingham Forest
@AlexTrukan
