By Alex Trukan
This practice is focused on improving explosiveness in sprinting and changing direction with the ball. It challenges players to run with the ball at maximal intensity and then be able to twist and turn before a finish. These physical abilities are crucial to win attacking running duels as well as to accelerate with the ball in the opposite direction to the defender. From the technical perspective, this practice works on running with the ball, turning and finishing skills. It also includes an element of competition between two teams, what adds players’ motivation and challenges them to perform at a maximal effort.
Set up and directions
Organise two goals with goalkeepers next to each other. Set up a gate with two cones 15 yards away from the goal (in front of it), and another gate further 5 yards in. Organise a starting point for players another 10 yards from the second gate as shown on the diagram below. Divide the group into two teams and assign a starting point to each team. Every player should have a ball.
The practice starts on the coach’s signal. First player from each team starts to run with the ball as quickly as possible into the furthest gate. He then turns away from it and goes towards the second gate. On both occasions the ball has to cross the gate before a turn.
After the second turn, a player has to finish into relevant goal as soon as possible. Emphasis should be firstly placed on the speed of execution and then on the detail of turn and finish. First player to score a goal wins the race.
When one player gains advantage and makes a shot before second player finishes, he can go and try to stop the opponent from scoring. If a player scores and then wins the ball off the opposition player, his goal counts twice.
Timing:
Each player should make 4-6 repetitions in 1-2 series. Resting period between repetitions is 1 minute (other players working), and between series, 4 minutes.
Variations:
- Increase/decrease distance to be covered before a finish
- No turns, but score after going past second gate
- Another ball played in from behind the goal (by feeder) to finish
By Alex Trukan, Development Coach, Nottingham Forest
@AlexTrukan
