By Alex Trukan
The following game is focused on developing players’ Aerobic Power, an ability which is fundamental to developing all other physical attributes, serving as body’s recovering system between high intensity actions and bursts. Strong aerobic system ensures proper oxygen supply to muscles as well as improved lungs capacity and blood circulation. This training method specifically helps with maintaining quick recovery time between the actions. From technical point of view, this practice is focused on turning. This is, however achieved in a game related scenario. Tactically, the players will practice quick switching play and passing combinations to play from end to end as quick as possible.
Set-Up and Directions
Organise a pitch of approximately 25 x 40 yards. Set up two end zones, 8 yards into the pitch from the end lines. Organise two goals with goalkeepers. Size and type of goals can be adapted (works with small and big goals as well as with an end line to dribble through). Divide the group into two teams of five. Prepare a sufficient supply of balls to ensure flow of the practice.
The game starts with one of the goalkeepers who plays the ball into the attacking team (coach decides which). The ball must leave the end zone. The attacking team has to keep possession of the ball and is not allowed to score yet.
As soon as the attacking team’s player goes in and out of any of the two end zones, the team can then score. A goal has to be scored in the opposite goal to the end zone which they have turned in.
A turn in and out of the end zone has to be made by one player (player that goes in with the ball, has to go out). The ball can be then combined through the middle as long as the team wishes but the aim is to score in the opposite goal.
Both teams can therefore score in any of the two goals, depending on which end zone they have made a turn in. The team that scored restarts from the opposite goalkeeper. If the opposition wins possession, they will try to score in the same way.
Timing
This game should be played 4-8 minutes and repeated 4-6 times with 2 minutes active rest in between.
Variations
- 3v3/4v4/Increase/Decrease playing size
- Turn in and out two end zones before a finish
- Play can be combined in the end zone to go out
By Alex Trukan, Development Coach, Nottingham Forest
@AlexTrukan
