By Alex Trukan The Switching Play Possession Game is highly engaging and high intensity game aimed mainly at more advanced players of higher ability. It helps to develop power to recover what helps in producing anaerobic actions more often. The practice strengthens aerobic energy system which generally acts as a platform to all football actions.
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
This practice have multiple outcomes in the technical corner including passing, receiving as well as movement off the ball. In addition to that, it develops the capacity of the body to recover quickly, what will lead to producing more high intensity actions throughout the game. That happens due to development of aerobic energy system. The practice can be well adapted to different age groups, number of players and ability levels.
Set up and directions
Set a square of approximately 15 x 15 yards, then further divide it into four smaller squares by putting a cone in the middle of it. Organise a group of players inside the
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
This practice develops the ability to repeatedly produce high speed and power actions throughout the game. Relating to the context of the game, it might be used in a counter-attack scenario or when defending outnumbered. Simple set up and organisation makes it easy to adapt as well as manage regardless of the group size and ability level. On the top of that, players find this practice competitive and motivating.
Set up and directions
Organise an area of approximately 25x35 yards. Place two gates (3 yards width) on both ends of the area. Divide the team into two groups and further divide both groups into three smaller groups. There are three starting positions on each side of the area, between and next to the goals. The middle starting position is for defenders, while the two in the
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By Alex Trukan
This practice is focusing on developing reaction time and quick bursts of acceleration over short distances. Its’ design ensures the practice is fun and challenging at the same time what makes it suitable for almost all age groups. Relating to the match context, the exercise will help the players to make quicker decisions, react and accelerate to win possession or make a tackle.
Set up and Directions
Set up four cones, two on one side, and two opposite them. Organise two players, both of them between two cones, opposite
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
The presented exercise is designed to develop repetitive short sprinting power in a running with the ball scenario with a finishing element. From the physical perspective, it helps the players to be quicker and more explosive when trying to win a race to the ball or be faster than the defender in and around the box. That is linked to technical element of running with the ball and shooting on goal. The organisation of the practice ensures that work to rest ratio is easier to manage as well as players get enough repetitions without long waiting periods.
Set up and Directions
Cone off two channels of approximately 20 yards in length and 4 in width. Place one goal on the opposite ends of the channels. Divide the players into pairs and set half of the pairs at the beginning of one channel (opposite the goal) and the other half at the start of the second channel. Two coaches/players are needed to play the
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The following practice is aimed at developing an ability to sustain the amount of sprints and high intensity actions throughout the whole game. This physical component is linked into technical content of passing, one-two’s and receiving. The practice can be adapted to suit different numbers as well as physical focus. More players involved, as well as smaller area will mean longer resting periods. Also different passing combinations can be used to increase variety.
Set-Up and Directions
Organise a square of approximately 5x5 yards. Set four players outside the square, one on each side, and one player in the middle of the square, with the ball. Area size and
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This practice is designed to improve the quality of high intensity actions, developing speed and power to accelerate. It is relevant for all the positions, in particular, defenders (e.g. accelerating towards the ball played in behind) or strikers (e.g. getting away from defender). It has also a technical element of turning as well as shooting. For the players it is highly engaging and fun game that develops them physically, psychologically as well as technically.
Set up and Directions
Position two goals with the back to each other, 5 yards apart. Organise goalkeepers into goals. Divide the team into two groups, and set them next to the
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
This game is a perfect option to challenge the players in tight 1v1 situations with the defender from the back. That will develop players’ strength, core stability, balance as well as agility to keep possession of the ball away from the defender and at the same time progress as a team onto opposition’s half and score. It is highly motivating and engaging game for almost all ability levels.
Set-Up and Directions
Set up a pitch of approximately 25x35 yards. Divide the pitch into four smaller areas. Place one goal on each end. Divide the team into two groups of five, organise goalkeepers in goals. Set every player on each team into different area, so in each of the
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
This practice is designed to develop players’ capacity to sprint with and without the ball over short distances. The ball work is incorporated in order to link it to football specific context as well as to increase players’ motivation. In addition, players change direction and angles of runs to make it even more realistic. The exercise is ideally working with 12 players (work to rest ratio automatically managed), but it can be adapted to suit team needs.
Set Up and Directions
Organise a square of approximately 8-10 yards in length and width. Place additional cone in the middle of the square. Divide the players into four groups. Each groups’ starting position is on the
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
This is a great game focused on improving multiple physical attributes including aerobic and anaerobic power (high intensity efforts and recovery time between them). Apart from that it forces players to adapt to different overload and underload situations. From the technical point of view, it includes a variety of 1v1 and 2v1 situations which then build up into 4v4 game. The practice is suitable for almost every age group and level of players.
Set-Up and Directions
Organise a pitch of approximately 30x40 yards with one goal on each end. Divide the players into two groups and position them next to the goals. Organise one goalkeeper in each goal. Provide a
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
This practice is based on developing an ability for repeated and regular high intensity efforts. That is achieved in a technical practice combining elements of running with the ball, passing and acceleration off the ball. It can also be used as a part of tactical programme focused on developing counter attack and transition play. Ideal number for this practice is between 8 to 10 as it then automatically manages work to rest periods.
Set Up and Directions
Organise two channels of 15-30 yards. Place two gates between them as shown on the diagram below. Divide the players into two groups and place each group at the
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
This game uses creative design to increase the amount of runs over medium and longer distances. The main aim from the physical perspective is to improve Aerobic Power, which in simpler terms aids recovery between high intensity efforts. Therefore, players will be able to perform more and higher quality actions. Apart from that, the game adds variety to the training and challenges players in new ways.
Set Up and Directions
Organise a pitch of approximately 30x40 yards. Divide it into two halves. Place two goals back to back in the centre of the pitch. Organise a team into two groups of 5 with one goalkeeper in each
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
The following practice is designed to develop upper body (core) and lower body strength. That can be used in and around the penalty box by the strikers holding the ball away from the opposition as well as in the own half of the pitch by the defenders. From the technical point of view, the practice focuses on defending position with the player pressurising from the back. The great thing about this exercise is that it can be adapted to different numbers as well as it’s a great fun.
Set-Up and Directions
Organise six cones as shown on the diagram below. Designate one player with the
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This exercise is focused on developing functional strength to improve individual ball possession skills under pressure. That will help the players to stay on the ball for longer periods of time if needed and be confident in manipulating the ball when pressurised and doubled up. From the conditioning perspective, the practice develops both upper and lower body strength as well as strengthens the core. It also contains an element of acceleration over short distances.
Set-Up and Directions
Set up a square of approximately 15x15 yards. In the middle of each side of the square, place a bigger cone. Divide the players into pairs. Each pair should take a position on each of the
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
This practice is suitable for almost every age group and can be implemented with both U7’s as well as senior players. From the physical perspective, it is focused on improving endurance and ability to recover after high intensity bursts. That is integrated into highly technical practice focused on dribbling, awareness and ball manipulation. The practice has also benefits in the social side of the game, improving communication and teamwork.
Set up and directions
Organise a square of approximately 15x15 yards. Divide the team into three teams of three (number of players per team can be adapted). Two members of the team start with one
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
Reaction time and speed over short distances are often deciding elements between losing and winning in soccer. This practice is focused on developing these physical components integrating dribbling and running with the ball skills what links both conditioning and technical side of the game. The following exercise requires players to be in constant alertness and awareness in order to be able to react to a trigger before other teammates. That increases competitiveness and motivation.
Set-Up and Directions
Organise a middle square of approximately 15x15 yards. Set up four poles, one 5 yards from each of the four corners of the square. Designate players inside the middle square. Every player needs a ball. Take up appropriate coaching position to see the whole picture.
The players start dribbling inside the square. The games starts on
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The following practice is focused on developing endurance through extensive interval training method. That is especially relevant for improving recovery time between high intensity actions. For example, after quick bursts of acceleration or recovery runs. That is achieved in a modification of 1v1 practice, which involves three separate players defending their own gate and at the same time attacking oppositions’ goals. The practice is highly engaging and competitive and can be adapted to suit different numbers of players.
Set-Up and Directions
Organise three gates, each 4-5 yards wide, in a triangle shape as shown on the diagram below. Designate one player with one ball each to every single gate. The area size can be increased to develop running with the ball rather than dribbling. The number of gates can be adapted to the players available (i.e. 4 Gates).
The game starts on the coach’s signal. The players are then
Continue readingIn next week's podcast on CoachingSoccerWeekly.com I discuss the preseason training routine that I perscribe for my players. One way to ensure that they actually DO the preparation is to test them at the start of the season. I also test them at the end of the season.
I use the testing put together by AthleteFIT.com. There are six tests; one fitness test, three skills tests and two speed tests.
I've found these to be a great indicator of how ready my players are to train. The test we do at the end of the season also tell me if what we have done has improved the players technically and physically. There is only so much we can do to improve speed, you either have it or you don't but one of the
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
The ‘Hit the Ball’ 1v1 Game is aimed at improving explosiveness and speed with the ball in a 1v1 competitive scenario. That will help the players to dominate duels against the defenders, improving the quality of ball control on the speed and under pressure. The organisation of the exercise, however, is not only focused on the dribbling content but also contains a passing element what makes it more competitive and match realistic.
Set-Up and Directions
Organise a 15x25 yards area with four cones, 5 yards apart, on each side. Place a ball on each of the end line cones. In 5 yards into the middle of the area, place another 4 cones in the same line as the end line cones. Divide the players into pairs. One player starts with the ball on one side of the middle area, while his partner positions himself on the opposite side of the central area.
The game starts with a player in possession of the
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Sprinting and sliding game is designed to improve acceleration and speed over short distances. That will help players to win more running and 1v1 duels as well as forward runs with and without the ball. In the presented exercise, that is connected with sliding and intercepting skills to make the physical side more context specific and engaging.
Set-Up and Directions
Organise two gates 3 yards wide and one cone in between as shown on the diagram below. Set the players in a line behind the cone with one ball each. The coach should be positioned opposite the
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
The presented exercise is aimed at developing repetitive sprints ability with a passing content. From the conditioning perspective, the practice is focused on improving players’ ability to keep the amount of sprints high throughout the game, without a decrease in the quality. Therefore, it is especially relevant for improving players in 1v1’s and running duels. That is integrated in the passing practice ensuring players are motivated and improving in the technical corner.
Set Up and Directions
Organise a square of approximately 20x20 yards. Place two poles, 10 yards from each side of the square as shown on the diagram below. Divide players into groups of five and give each player a number from one to five. Every group of
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan
Passing and support exercise ‘Find a friend’ is an excellent method to develop aerobic power and capacity in a fun and engaging scenario. The main focus of the practice is to help players in developing an ability to sustain large volumes of physical effort due to faster recovery capacity. From the technical perspective, the presented game has various returns including: passing, receiving, support, creating space and movement. It is also highly adaptable to all abilities levels, numbers and age groups.
Set-Up and Directions
Organise a 25x25 yards box with four small boxes of 4x4 yards, one in each of the corners. Set one neutral player in each of the boxes, and divide the rest of the group into pairs. Two pairs are attackers and have one ball per two players. Minimum one pair is defending. Area size and
By Alex Trukan
This modification of a small sided game is aimed at improving endurance capacity and power. However it also challenges players to make short duration high intensity busts in a counter attack scenario. From a tactical perspective, it focuses on transition to attack. Relatively big space and the middle zone challenge players to run with the ball. This practice ideally works with three players on each team but also can be adapted to suit the numbers!
Set-Up and Directions
Organise a pitch of approximately 35x45 yards. Divide the area into three thirds with the middle one being the smallest one (up to 10 yards width). Divide the team into three groups, set goalkeepers into goals. The game starts with two teams playing on one goal using one third of the
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