Anticipate to intercept

WHY USE IT

Puts the players in an environment where they can develop their ability to anticipate when a forward pass is being played and intercept it.

SET UP

Mark out a rectangular pitch - relative to the age, ability and number of your players - and split it into thirds. At each end, place two small goals. Split players into three teams, with one team in each of the thirds.

HOW TO PLAY

A team in one of the end thirds looks to complete a set number of passes (two or three) before trying to pass to the team in the other end third. The team in the middle third looks to prevent and intercept the pass. They can send one player into the end third the ball is at that time. If they successfully win the ball, they can attack the two small goals at the end of the pitch where the pass was played from. Whether they score or not, they swap roles with the team that lost the ball. To begin with, the ball cannot travel over head height.

Coaching points

• Players looking to intercept - can you scan to identify the target your opponent is looking to pass to?
• Can you anticipate when the pass will be played and time your movement to intercept it?