Drill Image
How do we prepare our players for the demands expected to be evident during a real time match? How realistic and tailored is the training stimulus provided to our players? The ”Big Triangle” is a nice exercise to have a look at and why not, to incorporate into your training ”Tool BOX”. With this exercise we aim to work on our players ”passing and receiving” ball ability while concurrently we trigger their speed. We integrate also various training tools (Bigger Cones, tilting sticks, inflated dummies and mannequins etc.) to incite ”Agility” adaptations” this version only includes Cones and Human sized inflated Dummies
Description of the Exercise
Coach blows the whistle, immediately the player who possesses the ball passes to the next player who ”opens away” from the inflated dummie in order to receive it and continue the sequence of the passes. Practically our players have to receive incoming passes and move forward quick and fast. We expect our players to execute only one touch with the ball when receiving. We execute 3-5 ”laps-full triangles”. After the completion of the 3-5 ”laps”, the execution becomes counter-wise (right of left respectively).
Animated Example
My Coaching Suggestion – Instructions
Starting with Body posture : Players should maintain a nice open body shape, convenient for better full pitch view and awareness. Our players must have in mind that a wrong positioning will hinder the execution of the exercise. Realism is one of the main pillars of this exercise. During the game, if a player do not position him/herself in a way that allows to receive the ball and forward the game, potentially that team will face significant built-up issues and inevitably multiple offensive interceptions from opposition which can even lead to a negative result (match loss). We instruct our players to ”lower” when the ball is approaching them and continuously remind that receptions Must be done with the inside part of the foot (clean touches). Before releasing the pass, players should gauge their passing power. We want accuracy and fast traveling passes which assist the prospective ball receiver to play simply and effectively. A properly executed pass predisposes an appropriate reception from the next player.
Speed: This is another component of this exercise that we need to highlight. There are numerous times that players, when they start to familiarize with the execution of an exercise they tend to ”slow down” and in general they drop their intensity at around 15-20% approximately (subjective observation). Unfortunately this event completely ”shuts down” the realism and apparently minimize any potent speed adaptations. We should put most of our emphasis here. When passing the ball we expect a 85-95% sprinting action just over the spot of the inflated dummie. We do not compromise on this performance characteristic as is extremely significant. Results must be created and Delivered. Deceleration : To control and reduce the occurrence of any overloading from exercises like this, we make clear from the start to our team that we do not want any deceleration. Our players are requested and coached to gradually minimize and eventually nullify their running speed without sharp decelerations or any change of direction action (Hamstring loading).
Mistakes to Avoid
- Intensity drop. Maintain the intensity of every action executed for the whole time of the exercise
- Lack of verbal communication. Encourage your players to verbally communicate and develop better synchronization and instant mistake solutions
- Non-adequate distributed balls around the triangle. Even if this exercise seems very ”plain”, this doesn’t certify that everything will go well. Always stay alert to feed balls at any moment
- 1-2 combination. This exercise is an exercise structured and built specifically to develop(passing and speed). By executing back passes or 1-2 combinations, none of our players will work on his/her directional 1 touch
- Lack of feedback. Let the players know when they do Great. Motivate them an push them to their best effort.
- Lack of reflection. This is not just a preparatory exercise before the ”main menu”. It is a significant component of the training prescription, drain the best results out of it
- Lack of progressions. We are not good friends with monotony,so do the players
Prospective progressions – Suggested
There are numerous ways to alternate this exercise. I can suggest one. What about a competition? With the same set-up we create additional triangles on the pitch and we let sub-teams of even in number players to strive for the victory. Which is the team that will complete 4 full triangles on each side first? In this variation we may need the assistance of other staff members to keep the score (players love to cheat and specifically for victory). First team which gets 3 wins may get a ”token” from coach.
To conclude, every practitioner needs an expanded inventory of exercises which are simple, effective, easy to set-up and can be alternated with ease according to the number, age, condition and technical capacities of the players. Consider this nice exercise and get in touch with us for any concerns or recommendations.
Until the next one Ciao.
