Drill Image
Description of the Exercise
In this particular exercise our players have a very simple but also very effective objective. We aim to activate our players by making them ”more sharp and ready” with the help of the ball. So let’s dive deeper :
Yellow Arrow = Self offer- movement without the ball
Blue Arrow = Quick controlled drive with the ball
Black Arrow = Pass
Red Arrow = Diagonal offer – movement
White circle = Indicates the spot where the 1-2 combination will take place
- Just by following the numerical sequence of the passes (figure above) we can easily understand the combination flow
With the whistle from the coach the very initial player drives the ball towards the yellow mannequin. By dribbling passing it, that players gives the signal to the 2nd mannequin’s player to break – diagonally towards the opposite side of the player passing to him. The following action is a well timed-break back smooth pass to the middle player that already executed a well controlled demarking move and got advantage of the space. From that moment the player receiving the break-back pass will execute and vertical pass to the very last player who offered himself avoiding the last opponent (mannequin). Instantly we expect the players for execute the 1-2 combination next to the last mannequin and eventually the top end player to receive a nice spacial pass and score towards the mini post!!! Players change normally just by proceeding one spot/position forward.
Key benefits
- Body positioning
- Player’s communication
- Gradual team warm-up and preparation
- Synchronization
- Space awareness
- Visual contact pre-ball reception
- Change of pace
- Aiming and target accuracy from various positions
- Use of both feet
- Smaller space interaction and bigger space relationship conversion
Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not rush to start the exercise – read the body language of your players
- Always provide instant feedback to your players without pausing the flow
- Position at a spot where you can have clear viewpoint of the whole exercise
- Avoid kicking back a missed ball, it may cause noise and usually confuses the players
- Don’t be overly excited if you realize that everything goes well, this action may increase the stress of the players or even foster a counter relaxation behavior (early objective achievement)
- Always have the ball flow in your mind, if ball scarcity occurs possibly the exercise may be hindered
- Do not over-elaborate the exercise, it sometimes makes things and bit complicated for the players
- Fix the posts if they get ”moved” by any way
- Avoid Extended rest periods in this particular exercises
My Coaching Observation – Intervention
We should place a lot of emphasis on the principles that we facilitate in such exercises. Initially we should be extremely careful with the body positioning of our players, regarding space,timing and positioning of his/her teammate. We must correct the insufficient body posture and we should always praise players moving and positioning themselves in a way which benefits the game built-up and the continuation of a proper ”footbalistic” flow. Do not underestimate the change of pace, it this exercise all our player should change their speed after passing, transferring the ball or overcoming the opponent (mannequin) after a well executed 1-2 in terms of space, timing and passing quality. Motivate your players to keep and structure smaller space relations with diagonal positioning in order to convey the ball quickly and with less changes to lift the ball off the ground. Make sure that your players keep their heads up and they maintain a good awareness of space. Finally be very demanding with their passing accuracy and the technique of execution, we aim to develop their passing capacity and enhance their aiming skills from different positions and initial angles. This will never be succeeded if we just pass a ball from distance, we must transfer the responsibility for hit the target 10 out of 10 with confidence and belief in the process.
Until the next one ciao.
