Drill Image
Development and Fun! Two notions and ”ingredients” which highly affect the holistic evolution of a player. When engaging and working with the Development Age it is a matter of significance to investigate and search for a training methodology and a training battery which encapsulates fun and specificity on the Performance components that you want to maximize (Speed, Agility, Technical capacity etc.). This exercise is a very intriguing approach to establish specific reaction adaptations and an enhanced decision making level. (Unexpected movements and changes of direction affected from the on-field behavior of the HUNTERS). Let’s have a look on this exercise and let’s analyze some of the ”parts” that we should consider in order to maximize Fun and of course our Player’s Speed and Reaction
Description of the Exercise
This exercise is a simple and very practical stimulus which you can utilize without hesitation twice or even trice per week. The main requirements are 4 mid-sized cones and 2 big zones marked just before starting the exercise. In terms of dimensions it is suggested from our side a relationship of 30-25 meters x 20 meters. The ”Hunters” exercise starts with 2 players being the initial ”hunters”. Coach blows his/her whistle and all players positioned at the final line commence their free run towards the neutral zone (Hunter’s Zone). They have to run fast and ”trick” their opponents (Hunters) in order to run through the neutral zone without having any contact with the hunters. Players caught become hunters. Before a new Wave of players, a new single blow from coach is a prerequisite (proper exercise execution and strategy planning from the hunters). The exercise will normally scale-up and eventually only 2 players will remain ”standing”. Those 2 last players will get 2 winning points. At the end of the exercise players with most points may get a token prize from their coach or even their teammates (team spirit and team engagement). Players must always initiate their run from the final line.
Animated Example
My Coaching Suggestion – Instructions
There are many issues that we should address and many coaching hints that we should underline. Our behavior during this exercise is a factor of ”balance”. Young players in many occasions experience difficulties like obeying the rules or making the expected distinctions. Things can go completely ”out of target” if we do not elaborate every detail of the game. First of all we recommend that coach and only he/she will tell to the players who is caught and which ”catch” counts. A caught player stays still and assumes ”hunters” position facing the final line and expecting the upcoming player wave. We must elaborate before starting the execution, all the benefits of speed and what agility actually means for a footballer nowadays. We encourage our players to move efficiently with controlled movements and body feints or changes of direction. We don’t want just maximal linear runs, such actions may be beneficial but in many occasions seem to minimize reaction time and hinder decision making of the players. Additionally we encourage ”hunters” to built a strategy. We don’t just expect them to block their opponents. We want them to become ”free thinkers”. We expect communication between them and fast adaptation when a new hunter gets integrated (sub-group functionality and communication).
Mistakes to Avoid
- Cheeky ones. There are always players that just overdo it. We should specific. This is a fun but also a demanding exercise
- Too many linear runs. encourage your players to execute changes of direction. Football require multi directional actions – runs
- Fear of contact. It is completely fine to be ”caught”. Encourage your player to face the opponent and interact. Football is a contact sport and players must understand it from very young age
- Players starting early. We want all players to start together as a wave. It is a fun game but also there are rules that must be applied.
- Players not positioned at final line. We want all player to be positioned at the final line. ”Hunters” require adequate time to built a ”catching strategy”
- Lack of communication between the hunters”. ”Hunters” must function as a group, with this approach they will maximize their effectiveness and they will catch all the opponents.
Prospective progressions – Suggested
As you already may be considering, there are many progressions for exercises like this one. What about the inclusion a football? Apply all the aforementioned instructions but with Ball. Players will enjoy it even more and the ”hunters will go for their prey with more appetite”. Players may hold their respective ball and run or drive it (Technical skill development). ”Hunters” on the other hand, can try to intercept the ball (Ball interception skill and body use). Consider in addition the variation which gives ball to the ”hunters also”. Now the whole scenery changes. Players in the neutral zone, have to hit the ball controlled by their opponents in order to ”catch” them (Aiming, target hitting, passing power and passing capacity).
Concluding, it may be a mistake to underestimate exercises like this one. Exercise that facilitate fun and engagement should always be included in our training regime. Our players crave to participate and success seems to be inevitable. Try this exercise, replicate it or mix it as you like. I am highly predisposed that your players will love it.
Until the next one Ciao.
