Waiting for players

This session is set up so that as players arrive they can easily join in without you needing to stop or change the session. The arrival activity shown here is geared towards closing down the opposition in midfield.

Set up

You need balls, bibs and cones in an area 20x20 yards. Numbers build up as players arrive.

How to play it

I’ve started with a 20x20-yard space. The space is important - it’s an inclusive activity, so must have an element of realism and your players will need to show the right attitude.

In this example I am using nine players and waiting for three others to arrive.

I start with a 6v3 – the team of six must try to keep possession for as long as possible. See how many times their opponents can win the ball. If they do win it or it goes out of play, it’s returned to the team of six. Play for 90 seconds then pause.

If in that time a new player has arrived, and the overload team are finding it hard to keep possession, the 6v3 can become a 7v3. Alternatively, if they’re achieving the task quite comfortably, change the parameters so this is a 6v4 instead.

If no new player has arrived, switch individual players so that each man can experience the different demands involved in being on each side of the overload.

Play until all your players have arrived. You can now move on to the main session. 

Technique

Make sure players get close to the opposition in order to cut out passing lines.

Defensive intelligence is essential, and closing down should be done by the player nearest the ball. If that player has support he can show the passer inside towards his supporting player. But if the closing down player is on his own, he must show the attacker outside and away from any team mate who offers a passing option.