By Anthony Hazelwood
The following activity has two teams of four players with GK’s playing a transitional small sided game. Players will be working to adapt their anaerobic capacity through phases of intermittent endurance. A 44-yard length x 30-yard width split into a half will be built. To begin, two teams will have three on field players starting from one side. One player from each team will be waiting on the other half. Play starts from the coach who plays into the attacking team located in their attacking half. If a point is scored it’s a make it take it rule. If the defending team wins the ball, then they are to find their teammate on the other half to transition, combine and score a goal.
The objective of the activity is to recognize key transitional moments when the ball has been won and to connect with the deep positioned teammate.
When preparing the activity, 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 is 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: 44 yds. length x 30 yds. width.
Total Activity Time: 16 minutes.
Sets: 1.
Number of Repetitions: 5
Activity Repetition Time: 2 minutes.
Recovery Interval Time: 1 minute.
Intensity: High.
Objectives:
• Tactical: Quick transitional moment to support and connect to score.
• Fitness: Maintain high intense corporal actions.
• Technique: Proper fitness and off/on the ball execution/techniques.
• Mental-Emotional: Players fully engaged and concentration is high.
• Concentration Level: High.
Setup:
• Create a grid that is 44 yds length and 30 yds. width split down the middle – A goal at each end.
• Two teams of four players and GK’S. 3 vs.3 in one grid and one. One from each team in the other.
• Ball will start from the coach. Play will start with the attacking team scoring at goal.
• If the team scores (black team), then another ball from coach comes in.
• If the team in defense takes the ball away, then they look to combine with teammate on the other side to score.
Coaching Points:
• Attentiveness to transitional moment.
• Keep track of time, 2 minutes play – 1-minute rest.
• High intensity.
• This session is continuous for two minutes, make sure to keep moving.
• Proper technique and Proper Exercise Movement.
• Proper exercise movements when attacking players are idle.
• Activity restrictions:
Only one player may join for a 2 vs. 1 scenario.
Two other attacking players join and one other defender – 3 vs. 2
Other.
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.
