By Philip Cauchi
Question - Do you have exercises where I can train "Visual Perception" where the players will be better at scanning the area?
In Parts 1,2 and 3, I shared some exercises. Here are some more.
Exercise 13: Pass with accuracy to the correct player.
Area: 12 yards x 12 yards with a mini gate positioned on each side line. Each mini gate is differently colored.
Load: 4 to 6 series of 4 repetitions each.
Players: A player is positioned inside a gate and should be referred to according to the color of the gate. Another player, the active player, should be inside the practice area.
Description: The active player receives the first pass from the outside player who has the ball. The passing player calls the color of the gate the active player should pass the ball to and receive the return pass from. This continues for four sequential passes.
Progressions:
1 – The active player passes to any colour except the one called.
2 – The ball has to be played within a maximum of one or two touches.
Coaching points:
Movement off-the-ball to receive at an angle.
Stance to receive and finish at goal quickly.
Exercise 14: CONCACAF.
Area: 8 yards x 8 yards.
Load: 4 to 6 series of 4 to 5 repetitions each.
Players: Four players move outside the perimeter of the assigned area while the active player is inside. The four outside players are named according to four CONCACAF member countries. The players preferably wear a different colored bib so to be easily identified from each other.
Description: The four outside players move in various directions, along the perimeter, and can change direction at their own discretion. One of the outside players start with a ball. The active player receives the ball from a perimeter player while the latter calls out the name of the country (player) the ball must be passed to next. This is repeated from four to five times.
Progression: The ball must be passed within a maximum of one or two touches.
Coaching points:
Continuous movement of the head to be able to read the positions of the outside players.
Communication: verbal and visual.
Quality of first touch and weight and direction of passes.
Exercise 15: Two ball possession game.
Area: 25 yards x 20 yards.
Load: 8 series of 1 minute each with 1 minute of rest in between.
Players: Eight attacking players and four defenders.
Description: Eight attacking players aim to keep possession of two balls against four defenders. If the attackers manage to secure both balls for a whole minute they score a point. If not, the defenders score a point. Players switch roles after each series. However, points are recorded individually by the coach. The eight players who score the least points have to do a forfeit such as 30 push-ups.
Progression: Play 7v5.
Coaching points:
Players should be continuously assessing space and options.
Angles and distances between the players.
Communication between players.
Quality of first touch and passes to feet.
Exercise 16: 1v1 receiving the ball from various angles.
Area: 12 yards x 15 yards with two mini goals positioned four yards apart in the centre of each end line. Every corner is marked using a different color.
Load: 8 series of 3 repetitions each with. Each player does 4 series as an attacker and 4 series as a defender. Rest for one minute between series.
Players: Six. Four at each corner with a ball each. The other two players; one as an attacker and the other as a defender.
Description: The coach calls a color that corresponds to the corner from where the player with the ball passes to the attacker in the middle of the area. This player tries to score on either of the two goals positioned on the same goal line between the red and blue corners. If the defender wins the ball he counters on the opposite two mini goals. Three balls are played, all from a different corner.
Coaching points:
The attacker should keep moving to get free of marking and receive in space.
The defender should be on the balls of his feet to anticipate the attacker’s movements.
By Philip Cauchi
