By Steven Smith
This progression is designed to take a team from small-sided play to full sided play with focus on each level of the progression. The coach must emphasize the key needed tactical progression for the team as needed.
Activity 1: Heads Up Warm Up
Setup:
A large grid is set up with multiple obstacles inside the grid. Half of the players are inside the grid with a ball and half are outside of the grid without a ball. Players inside of grid each with a ball must dribble across the grid to any side of grid and hand off the ball to another player stationed at the outside of the grid.
Execution:
Players move through the grid with dribbling while using Coerver moves and hand off the ball to player waiting outside of the grid. That player then enters the grid and does the same. Players must avoid all obstacles as they move through the grid to the other sides of the grid. Coach blows whistle every two minutes and alternating stretches and range of motion activities ensue for one minute. Restart.
Variations:
Start with the ball in hands and play handball.
Move to foot skills with alternating stretches.
Activity 2: 8v8v8 Transition
Main phase
Setup: Two grids are set up 20X20 yards with a 20-yard gap in between them. Teams are divided into three groups of 8 (or other combinations of numbers).
Execution: Black team in one grid and Yellow team in the other grid. The red team remains outside of each grid with 4 players from the red team at each grid. Coach serves the ball into one grid and the four red players enter to defend and stop the black team from connecting 8 passes. If the red team knocks the ball out of the grid they exit the grid to the waiting point again and the coach immediately serves a ball into the yellow grid. The reds waiting there must do the same thing and keep the yellow group from connecting 8 passes. If the teams are successful in connecting 8 passes and sending the ball to the opposite grid, then the yellow defenders must switch to defending the opposite grid. See diagrams. Two minute games and then rotate defensive group colors.
Activity 3: Midfield Targets with Dummies
Main phase
Setup: A grid that is 20 X 20 is set up with three dummies in the middle as shown. Three groups of three are divided into color groups.
Execution: Players execute predetermined runs between or in front of dummies to receive from the passing players.
Activity 4: Four Goal Half Field
Main phase
Setup: Half a field is set up with two goals on flanks of end line and two on flanks of the midfield stripe. Teams of 11 are divided in half and four goalkeepers occupy the full size goals. Emphasize lateral transition defensively and on attack.
Execution: Players are instructed to defend their two goals and attack the opposing two goals. As play gets jammed up, the players should change the point of attack.
Variations:
Players change point of attack by combining with midfield players.
Players change point of attack by long ball only
Activity 5: 6 vs. 6 half field split
Main phase
4
Setup: Split half field in half and divide teams into groups of 6.
Execution: Play two games at once in tournament fashion. Keep score and rotate till all play each other for three rounds.
Variations:
Various restrictions such as touches can be applied.
By Steven Smith Head Coach at Hope College, Holland, MI
