By Anthony Hazelwood
The following activity has an 18 x 18 yd. box area where players will play 2 vs. 2. An additional triangle on each side is placed three yards from each side. Pairs will play for 90 seconds and then switch/rotate with corner players. This will achieve adaptations in the anaerobic energy system and produce soccer specific muscle tension actions.
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: 18 d. x 18 yd.
Total Activity Time: 12 minutes.
Sets: 1.
Number of Repetitions: 8
Activity Repetition Time: 90 seconds
Recovery Interval Time between reps: Quick transition between inside and corner players.
Intensity: High.
Objectives:
• Tactical: Improve combinations plays.
• 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 an 18 x 18-yard grid with triangle at each corner.
• Put players into players (Two pairs in the inside) and place one corner player in each zone.
• Pairs play for 90 seconds and try to combine with each other or with a corner player for points.
• Third man combination.
• After 90 seconds players quickly rotate and commence the next 90 seconds.
Activity Point System:
• 1 point for corner play wall pass.
• 2 points for Third man combination or inside pair wall pass.
• One touch everywhere.
• Progression: when a point is scored corner players rotate to the next corner quickly.
Coaching Points:
• Support.
• Verbal and nonverbal communication.
• Dribble to opponent use teammate for combo play.
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.
