By Anthony Hazelwood
The following activity has two teams playing a 11 vs. 11 game activity. The specific fitness target is match endurance while adapting the player’s aerobic capacity in a game scenario activity.
The field is split into three zones and the ball starts from a goal kick scenario. The ball will begin with the black team in attack. Initially the defending yellow team, will be restricted to have a defending player in the attacking teams defending third. The team in attack will have the GK and two CB’s to build the attack. Once the black team makes a sequence of passes, then they pass the ball into middle third and the game is live with no restrictions.
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 being 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: Full Field, Split into 3 Zones.
Total Activity Time: 42 Minutes.
Sets: 1.
Number of Repetitions: 3 Reps.
Activity Repetitions: 12 minutes.
Recovery Interval Time between Activities: 2 minutes.
Intensity: High.
Objectives:
• Tactical: Attack - Create a build up between the GK and Two CB’s.
• Fitness: Aerobic Capacity.
• Technique: Proper fitness and off/on the ball execution/techniques.
• Mental-Emotional: Players fully engaged and concentration is high.
Setup:
• Cones on the field are used to split the field into thirds.
• Black team (1-4-2-3-1) trains to create a build up with GK +Two CB’s against an opponent.
• Yellow team (1-4-4-2) looks to regain possession.
• Black teams begin from a goal kick using the GK and Two CB’s. They must string 5 passes before they can find a pass in the middle third to a teammate.
• A yellow defending player will be in play and he/she will try to disrupt the pass.
• Once the passes have been completed and a pass to middle third teammate is performed, the game is live with no restrictions.
• When the ball goes out of bounds, the Coach has the discretion to start from the goal buildup or play it as lies (Throw-in, Corner kick, etc.).
• Progression: A second defending player is added to disrupt play in the buildup.
By Anthony Hazelwood
Current Seattle Sounders Academy Performance Coach with previous European academy coaching experience as an assistant fitness and strength/conditioning soccer coach with Levante U.D. (2013-2014) and Getafe SAD CF (2015-2016) in Valencia and Madrid, Spain respectively. A USSF “A” licensed coach with a BSc in Physical Education and an MSc in Sports Training and Nutrition.
