By Philip Cauchi
Question - Do you have exercises where I can train "Visual Perception" where the players will be better at scanning the area?
Try these exercises and see how they work for you.
Exercise 1: Passing by numbers.
Area: 8 yards x 8 yards with cones or poles marking the corners.
Load: 6 repetitions of 1 minute each with 30 seconds of rest in between.
Players: Four or five players numbered from 1 to 5.
Description: Players pass to each other in sequential order. After passing, the players must go around the cone and back into the pitch.
Progressions:
1 – The player passing the ball must go around the cone opposite him.
2 – Have two groups of players numbered from 1 to 5 who perform the same exercise as described above simultaneously in the same area but using progression 1.
Coaching points:
Continuous head movement to scan the area.
Stance to have a good first touch and quality of passes.
Exercise 2: Numbered rondo
Area: 10 yards x 10 yards with poles set three yards away from the middle of each side.
Load: 6 repetitions of 1 minute each with 1 minute of rest in between.
Players: Five as attackers and a defender.
Description: Players pass to each other by numbers while the defender aims to win the ball. After passing, the players must go around a pole and back into the pitch. If the defender wins the ball, he has to dribble it out of the area and then switch places with the attacker responsible for the loss of the ball. Attackers apply immediate pressure to regain the ball.
Progressions:
1 – Play with a two touch maximum.
2 – Play with a one touch maximum.
Coaching points:
Continuous head movement to assess the situation.
Verbal communication.
Stance to have a good first touch and quality of passes.
Exercise 3: Switch and numbered rondos.
Area: 20 yards x 10 yards divided into two equal horizontal areas.
Load: 6 repetitions of 1 minute each with 1 minute of rest in between.
Players: Four attackers and a defender in each area.
Description: In each area the players pass to each other by numbers while the defender aims to win the ball. After passing, the players move into the opposite half to receive the ball from the previous number and pass to the next. Afterwards move again to the other area. Defenders change every minute.
Progressions:
1 – Play with a two touch maximum.
2 – Play with a one touch maximum.
Coaching points:
Continuous head movement to assess the situation.
Verbal communication.
Stance to have a good first touch and quality of passes.
Exercise 4: Receive and lay the ball off to the third player.
Area: 10 yards x 10 yards.
Load: 6 repetitions of 1 minute each with 30 seconds of rest in between.
Players: A player/server is positioned at each side of the square while two attackers and a defender are positioned inside it.
Description: The inside players receive the ball from one of the servers who have a ball and pass to another who doesn’t. The same server cannot receive two balls simultaneously. After passing the ball they must move to the server who has the other ball and repeat.
Progression: Introduce a defender who aims to intercept and win the ball (shown in the above diagram). If necessary the ball may be passed back to the same server.
Coaching points:
Continuous head movement to assess the situation.
Verbal communication.
Positioning and stance to receive the ball.
Quality of passes and first touch.
By Philip Cauchi
