Fitness, technique and game intelligence

Below outlines a great way to work on fitness, as well as game intelligence and 'on and off the ball' technique.

It works for players of most ages (from U9s to Seniors) and with  most numbers of players ( to create equal team. (6,8,9,10,12,15,16)).

The constraints can be tweaked to get the loads of different activity outcomes => Fitness, game intelligence, creativity on the ball etc.

Its Simplest form is as follows

6 players : (4+1) vs1

  • The 1v1 play against each other in a square (for 1 minute say)
  • On each side of the square is one player (4 players).
  • So the player in possession has 4 bounce options.
  • The player out of possession must hunt the ball
    • If the 'hunter' wins it, possession switches, game doesn't stop
  • Coaches ; play with the size of area, touch restrictions, duration => to reach objectives, how players switch, who plays against who (don't mismatch)
  • If all players get a turn in the middle (round 1), round 2 can have different conditions. Bigger pitch, different touch conditions etc

 

8 players : (4+2) vs2

  • The 2v2 play against each other in a square.
  • On each side of the square is one player (4 players).
  • So the team in possession has 4 bounce options.
  • The team out of possession must hunt the ball (no standing off)
    • If the defending team wins it, possession switches, game doesn't stop
  • Coaches ; manipulate constraints - square size, touch restrictions, duration - to reach objectives, how team switch, who plays against who (don't mismatch)
  • If all teams get a turn in the middle (round 1), round 2 can have different conditions. Bigger pitch, different touch conditions etc

[4+2] v 2 : Possible Progressions to add difficulty

[4+2] v 2 End players must pass to Inside : Inside players provide own width

[4+2] v 2 : Outside have 1 outside Pass but then must pass inside

[4+2]v2 Outside players must pass Inside

[4+2]v2 : Outside players have 1 Touch & must Pass inside

Same Activity / progressions but with Bigger numbers

9 players : (4+3) vs 3 (Note the coach would need to join in as the 4th bounce player)

  • The 3v3 play against each other in a square.
  • On each side of the square is one player (4 players).
  • So the team in possession has 4 bounce options.
  • The team out of possession must hunt the ball (no standing off)
    • If the defending team wins it, possession switches, game doesn't stop
  • Coaches ; manipulate constraints - square size, touch restrictions, duration - to reach objectives, who plays against who (don't mismatch)
  • If all teams get a turn in the middle (round 1), round 2 can have different conditions. Bigger pitch, different touch conditions etc

 

If N = 10, then you can play the 2v2 version or the 3v3 version.

12 players : (6+3) vs 3

  • The 3v3 play against each other in a square.
  • On each side of the square is at least one player (6 players).
  • So the team in possession has 4 bounce options.
  • The team out of possession must hunt the ball (no standing off)
    • If the defending team wins it, possession switches, game doesn't stop
  • Coaches ; manipulate constraints - square size, touch restrictions, duration - to reach objectives, who plays against who (don't mismatch)
  • If all teams get a turn in the middle (round 1), round 2 can have different conditions. Bigger pitch, different touch conditions etc

 16 players : (8+4) vs 4

  • The 4v4 play against each other in a square.
  • On each side of the square is at least one player (8 players).
  • So the team in possession has 4 bounce options.
  • The team out of possession must hunt the ball (no standing off)
    • If the defending team wins it, possession switches, game doesn't stop
  • Coaches ; manipulate constraints - square size, touch restrictions, duration - to reach objectives, who plays against who (don't mismatch)
  • If all teams get a turn in the middle (round 1), round 2 can have different conditions. Bigger pitch, different touch conditions etc

Possible Progressions to add difficulty
 ( for older more advanced players)

Progression One

  • Play in a tight space (15x15) to allow the defenders to press inside and outside players
  • Unrestricted touches in the middle
  • Unrestricted on outside

Progression Two

  • Open space (20x20) makes it harder for defenders to press inside and outside players
  • So limit touches to 2 touch on outside
  • Unrestricted touches in the middle

Progression Three

  • Open space (25x25) makes it harder for defenders to press inside and outside players
  • So limit touches to 1 touch on outside
  • Unrestricted touches in the middle

Progression Four

  • Open space (25x25) makes it harder for defenders to press inside and outside players
  • So limit touches to 2 touch on outside
  • Limit touches in the middle (2 touch)

Progression Five

  • Open space (30x30) makes it harder for defenders to press inside and outside players
  • So limit touches to 2 touch on outside
  • Limit touches in the middle (2 touch)
  • Outside players cant play back to inside player who passed to them
 

Progression  Six

  • Open space (30x30) makes it harder for defenders to press inside and outside players
  • So limit touches to 1 touch on outside
  • Unrestricted touches in the middle
  • Outside players cant play back to inside player who passed to them
  • Defenders and attackers partner up and can only tackle each other