By Alex Trukan
The practice is aimed at developing players’ anaerobic endurance which is the ability to repeat and maintain the quantity of actions throughout the whole game. This means that players will be able to be highly involved even towards the end of the game. In addition to that, the practice contains elements of passing as well as movements off the ball and combination play. The practice is better suited for more advanced and older players.
Set Up and Directions
Organise a square of approximately 20 x 20 yards. Set up four high intensity stations outside the square, one on each side as shown on the diagram below. This can involve quick jumps over the hurdles, slalom runs between mannequins, as well as sprints. Divide the players into three groups of three players. Every player in a group should have a number (1-3) assigned. Players with number 1 start with the ball.
The practice is based on passing the ball in the group in a sequence 1-2-3. The players should make movements off the ball and change positions.
After the player makes a pass, he needs to visit one of the high intensity stations and perform assgined exercise on it. For example, after number 1 passes to number 2, he should run to hurdles and make three jumps to then come back to the square.
At the same time, as the number 1 visits a station, the ball is passed from number 2 to number 3 (after which, number 2 visits a station). When number 1 comes backs into the square the ball is passed back to him and number 3 goes to visit one of the stations. This sequence is repeated. Relatively small amount of players in the group (3) forces them to make quick actions on the station and come back quickly into the square to receive the ball.
Timing
Each player in the group should visit four different stations in one series. Competition should be made between groups who is going to achieve it first. This should be repeated 2-4 times with 4 minutes rest in between.
Variations
- 2/3 touches before next pass is made
- Each player to visit at least three different stations in a series
- Different exercises on high intensity stations
By Alex Trukan, Development Coach, Nottingham Forest
@AlexTrukan
