Activation - Gaunlet Tagging (8 Mins)
Overview:
Setup an area of 30 x 10 yards and split into three zones. On each zone line, a tagger is positioned. They can only move across the line to tag the attacker. The attacker starts at the bottom of the gauntlet and has to try and reach the top of the area getting past all three taggers. If they get past a tagger without being tagged they score a point, if they get tagged they score no point.
Coaching Points:
Change Of Direction: The attacker will need to change direction quickly if the tagger reads their movement. If space is blocked, they will need to move quickly and attack another direction using feints and their body to disguise their movements. Likewise the tagger will need to match the movement of the attacker and deny the space to run through.
Speed: The attacker might select to use speed in this game to get past the tagger if there is enough space to beat the tagger. If they select this option, they need to commit and go for it without hesitation.
Eyes Up & Decision Making: In this game, attackers need to recognise where the space is and decide if they can make it without being tagged. Attackers once past one tagger will need to quickly identify the position of the next tagger as they might be to one side after chasing the previous attacker.
Progression:
- Players to have a ball and dribble past the defenders 1 v 1.
Regression:
- Allow taggers to move anywhere inside their zones.
Ball Mastery - Dynamic Dribbling (12 Mins)
Overview:
Setup an area and split the area into four channels with flat markers or cones. Organise players at the beginning of the corridor all with a ball each. Set players work in groups of 4 – next player starts when one in front turns at end of the area.
- Dribble to end of corridor, turn and dribble back.
- Dribble and visit all other corridors before turning at end of yours and dribble back.
- Dribble to end of corridor, turn, visit all others and then back.
- Dribble and visit all others, turn at a different corridor and dribble back home visiting all.
Coaching Points:
Eyes Up: As players travel across the area they will need to keep their eyes up to help them to move through the different channels with the ball, but also to avoid bumping into other players around them.
Ball Manipulation: The players should be encouraged to use different types of surfaces and ways of manipulating the ball with both feet. Encourage players to also look at different ways in which they can move the ball i.e. direction.
Speed of Touches: Encourage players to use short, sharp touches to help them to travel with the ball through the channels. Players should look to keep the ball close to their body to help them to take quicker touches of the ball, but also being ready to change direction and change speed to evade other players.
Use of Both Feet: Players should be encouraged to use both feet as they manipulate the ball through all the channels. This will help players to practice with different surfaces on either foot to help them to be comfortable on both sides whilst dribbling/travelling with the ball.
Progression:
- Add a defender in the channels that can win the ball from players travelling across the grid.
Regression:
- Players are limited / restricted to travelling with the ball in their own channel rather than moving across channels.
Skills 2v2 Wave Game (15 Mins)
Overview:
Setup a 25 x 25 area with two goals with a goalkeeper in either goal. Organise two teams, with the attackers being split into two with half the attackers next to either goal. The attackers should be organised into pairs and have a ball between too. The defending team begin on the outside of the pitch and are also in pairs but without a ball. The game begins with a pair of attackers travelling with the ball trying to attack one of the goals, as soon as they enter the pitch two defenders come from the side of the pitch and must defend. Once they score, the next pair come into attack. The defenders have to try and win the ball back and score in one of the two goals.
Coaching Points:
Movement: The attackers inside the area must look to try and move to create space for between them as they’re moving across the channel. The player without the ball should look to create space for themselves or their team mates by moving of the ball. As they move, they should look to be in a position where they can see the ball as well as the space they’re looking to travel into (with an open body shape) allowing them to play forwards.
Decision Making: With players scanning and keeping their eyes up, this will help them to make the appropriate decision of whether to combine or dribble when in possession with the ball. They may also need to make the decision to go 1v1 as well. Both players should look to create overloads to help them combine and get past the attackers.
Receiving Skills: Players should look to receive where they’re able to play forwards to enable them to attack quickly with an open body shape. If there is space in front of them, they should look to move into that space with a large first touch when receiving. If they’re under pressure when they receive, they may need to receive to protect the ball from the defenders.
Combinations: Combinations should be used to eliminate the opponents, particularly when an overload is available. An overlap/underlap will help to create space for the player on the ball, potentially to dribble or change direction to go another way. Attacking quickly will provide more opportunities for the attackers to create and overload against the defenders and therefore helping them to combine.
Progressions:
- Increase the number of defenders for the attackers to combine against i.e. 2v3 which will make the challenge more difficult for them.
Regression:
- Decrease the number of defenders for the attackers to combine against i.e. 2v1 creating an overload.