By Keith Scarlett
This activity works on technique, communication and opening up the player’s body.
Set-up:
A 13 yard x 5 yard grid with a 3x5 yard section in the middle.
Each 5x5 square has a defender in it and the center rectangle has the player doing the work. Each corner on the outside of the whole grid has a player with a ball.
The player in the middle works for 30 seconds. Increase to 1 minute if running activity twice.
Here’s how it works:
The player in the middle must stay in the center grid while the defenders must remain in their respective grids.
The player in the middle calls for a ball from one of the players on the corners and tries to receive it and then play it through to one of the two players on the opposite side.
The defenders have to defend not only the passes from the corners, but also the passes from the center to the corners.
The player in the middle continues to move and call for balls from any of the corners they choose and trying to play it to one of the other corners.
If the defenders win the ball, they just play it out and continue to defend.
Coaching points:
• Player in the middle should work on opening-up their body to receive the ball and receiving it across their body.
• Player in the middle should play as quickly as possible.
• Both the player in the middle and the players on the corners should be working on both verbal and non-verbal communication.
By Keith Scarlett, Former Assistant Women’s Football Coach – Perth Glory FC, Australia, former U.S. Soccer National Staff, follow him on Twitter @keithscarlett and catch his personal blog, "An American Coach Down Under:" http://keithscarlett.blogspot.com
