By Sean Reed -
I wanted to continue from my last article looking at combinations within the circle work.
Objective: Session 1
Working on combination play within the circle and playing out the circle
Set Up
- The group is split into 2 teams (3 players from each team start in the middle + this will leave 5 players around the outside of the area). Alternate the players from each team
- Size of area can change (bigger area will increase space and range of passing and the smaller area will limit the space, and challenge the players)
- 1 ball for each team. The ball start with the players in the middle of the circle
- Every player in the middle must touch the ball before it is played to the outside players
- Player (1) plays a pass into Player (2), who then plays a pass to a player either side of him, for example Player (3).
- Player (1) will switch to the outside, Player (2) will make a forward run into the circle to receive the pass from Player (3)
- Player (1) will make his run towards Player (2) to encourage the 1-2 to be played
- When the ball is played from a player on the outside, that player cannot be the one to play the final pass out in that 1st sequence. (In other words they can’t come into the circle then be the 1st one to go out again)
- Duration of time will be down to the coach and objective
Coaching Points
- Distance of 1st pass
- Acceleration toward the outside player
- Peripheral awareness and decision making in which outside player to combine with
- Tempo and type of passing
- Playing in front for the player to run onto
- Decision whether to play 1 or 2 touch
- Distances / balancing off in the middle
Objective: Session 2
Continuing from session 1 introducing a new combination
Set Up
- As within the previous session
- Player (1) plays a pass into Player (2) on the outside. Player (2) then plays a pass back into Player (1) (then makes a forward run into the circle to encourage the pass) See Diagram 2
- Player (1) then plays the ball either side of Player (2), in this case Player (3), who plays the pass into the path of Player (2) making a forward run. See Diagram 2
- Player (1) finishes up on the outside of the circle
- 3 Players in the middle to all make contact with the ball before it is played out
Coaching Points
- As within the previous session
- Forward runs to encourage the pass
- Tempo of passing to enable combination to be carried out
- Distances
- Awareness and communication
- Use the space, don’t kill the space
Objective: Session 3
3rd Combination within this practice
Set Up
- As within the previous session
- The build of the combination is the same as in the previous session.
- Player (1) plays a pass into Player (2), on the outside, Player (2) then plays back to Player (1) who then plays into Player (3) or could be either player either side of Player (1)
- Player (2) then makes a movement (an overlapping run) past Player (3), who plays the ball into the path of Player (2)
- Player (1) then switches on the outside of the circle
- 3 Players in the middle to all make contact with the ball before it is played out
Coaching Points
- As with the previous sessions
- Overlapping movement to receive the ball
- Timing of movement and timing and weight of pass
- Change of pace form outside to in and inside to out (of the circle)
By Sean Reed
Former First Team Coach of Championship side Fulham FC. Sean is a UEFA A Coach with a Masters in Sport Coaching. He has over 15 years of experience working in professional football from Academy through to First team in the Premiership and Championship.
Linkedin - www.developmentofplayers.com
Twitter - @SeanJReed
