By Sean Reed -
Objective
These sessions focus on movement, specifically mirroring movement. At any point within the game players will come up against an opponent where they will need to create space, get away or get past the opponent. On the other hand players will come up against an opponent where they need to prevent and deny space, stop them getting past them and tracking the opponent.
These sessions can be used within the warm-up and the distances will vary depending on the physical objective.
Session 1
Diagram 1
Set Up
- Players are working in pairs position 2 poles, 1 either side (approx 15-20yds apart)
- 1st Session working on lateral movements. Player’s approx 2-3yds apart facing each other see Diagram 1
- The Red player is leading and the Yellow player is tracking. Both players must move facing each other and the objective for the player leading is to throw the player tracking off balance. Trying to create distance between them.
- The players will work for a set period of time and a number of reps (based on the coaches objective)
- After a number of reps it can then be made into a race. The players remain facing one another, but at any point the player leading can accelerate towards either pole (once they have made that decision they must stick with it)
Variations
- Starting Position: The leading player starts with their back to tracking player so they have to be aware of the player over their shoulder
- Starting Position: The tracking player starts with their back to the leading player
Coaching Points
- Balance/ control
- Maintain distances between feet
- Speed of foot movement (back foot keeping up with leading foot)
- Body shape prepared for the next phase
- Visual and Cognitive awareness of 2nd movement
- 1st step – short and quick in the direction of next movement
Session 2
Diagram 2
[wpsharely id="1204"][/wpsharely]
Set Up
- The set up is the same as with the previous session, but the players are now working side by side and their movement is either forwards or backwards
- As with the previous session this can be developed into a race where the leading player can sprint to either of the poles, but during the movement phase they must move either forwards or backwards (keeping side by side)
Coaching Points
- As within the previous session
- Quick foot movement especially when switching movements
- Short steps on the transition from forwards to backwards or backwards to forwards
- Transfer of weight during the transition phase
- Explosion with the 1st step to accelerate away
Session 3
Diagram 3
Set Up
- The set up is the same as with the previous session with the players 2-3yds opposite to each other. Within this session the players can choose to move with freedom (Backwards, forwards, sideways, turns)
- As with the previous sessions this can be developed into a race where the leading player can sprint to either of the poles, but within this session they can choose to turn at any point to then run past the opposite pole.
Coaching Points
- As with the previous sessions
- Small and quick steps on the turn
- Body shape and weight on the turn
- 1st step into the acceleration drive out
Session 4
Diagram 4
By Sean Reed
Former First Team Coach of Championship side Fulham FC. Sean is a UEFA A Coach with a Masters in Sport Coaching. He has over 15 years of experience working in professional football from Academy through to First team in the Premiership and Championship.
Set Up
- The set up is the same as with the previous session with the players 2-3yds opposite to each other. However, there are additional poles added. Please refer to Diagram 4
- In the 1st exercise in Diagram 4 – The players will move with freedom as within the previous session. The red player leading is looking to touch either one of the yellow poles. Whichever pole they touch (whenever they decide), they must then run toward the blue pole opposite. Please see the 1st exercise in Diagram 4
- The yellow player who is tracking must try to stay as close as possible to beat the Red player to the 2nd pole.
- In the 2nd exercise in Diagram 2 the additional poles are positioned behind the player tracking (yellow player). The red player will lead and at any point will accelerate either of the blue poles (behind the yellow player). Once the red player makes a move to sprint to one of the blue poles, the yellow player turns and tries to get there first.
Variations
- Change the position of the poles
- Control the initial movements as within the previous sessions (forward, backwards before they make a run for the pole)
- Include a ball
Coaching Points
- As with the previous sessions
- Change of pace to lose the player tracking
- Turn of the head and the hips for tracking player
- Turn leading with the leg that side (1st step short and bring next step round)
Linkedin - www.developmentofplayers.com
Twitter - @SeanJReed
