By Alex Trukan
The following practice is aimed at improving body’s ability to recover quicker between high intensity efforts (i.e. sprint, tackle etc.). This will help players to maintain quantity of actions without feeling increasingly tired (aerobic power) towards the end of the game. This game also focuses on maintaining possession and choosing the right moment to penetrate forwards. From technical point of view, it develops passing as well as running with the ball ability. It also contains the element of finishing what makes it more engaging and match realistic.
Set-Up and Directions
Organise a pitch of approximately 30 x 40 yards. Divide it into two halves. Set up two goals on the ends opposite each other. Divide the team into two groups of five. Each of the groups has its own half as shown on the diagram below. Prepare a sufficient amount of balls (min. 6-8) to be played in.
The game starts with a coach/spare player passing the ball into one of the teams. The aim of the team is to keep possession of it and make 6 consecutive passes.
As soon as the player on the ball takes a first touch, one player from the opposite team is allowed to go in and try to win the ball back. If the defender manages to win the ball back, he should attempt and score in the nearest goal.
Every 3 passes made by the attacking team, another defender can come in. This means that when 6 passes are made, there will be 3 defenders in trying to win the ball back.
As soon as 6 passes are made by the attacking team, they can break out into the opposition half and try to score (goal can be only scored from the opposition half). All of the defending players are free to go into both halves and try to win the ball back. If the ball is won, the team that has gained possession start to make 6 passes on their own half and attempt to break out. As soon as the ball goes out, the next ball should be supplied by the coach as early as possible.
Timing
The game should be played 4-8 minutes and be repeated 4-6 times with 2 minutes active rest in between.
Variations
- 4-6 players in each half
- Have to make 9 passes before breaking out
- Can only finish off one touch
By Alex Trukan, Development Coach, Nottingham Forest
@AlexTrukan
