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LOGINEnd-to-end and back
Put a string of passes together in this activity, with the focus on connectivity and receiving.
WHY USE IT
Works on aspects of the game in an opposed setting, including passing, connectivity, receiving, awareness, compact defending, covering and recovering.
SET UP
Create a rectangular area of a size suitable for the number, age and experience of your players. The practice is directional, with offside, so a marked halfway line is needed. You will need balls, cones and bibs. Split players into two teams, with a goalkeeper on each.
HOW TO PLAY
Goalkeepers start off the pitch, behind the end lines. To score, a team must receive the ball from their goalkeeper, get the ball to the opposite goalkeeper, and return the ball to their goalkeeper again. If they succeed, they keep possession and look to score again. If the opposition wins the ball, they must get the ball to their own goalkeeper before they can attack and look to score a goal.
COACHING POINTS
See below activity for an in-depth look at practice outcomes, potential challenges and the questions to ask to support learning.
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PRACTICE OUTCOMES
This session allows players to work on the following aspects of the game, in an opposed setting:
Attacking
Passing
- Heading
Connectivity
- Receiving to pass.
- Receiving to turn.
- Receiving to dribble.
- Receiving to run with the ball.
Receiving
- Taking an appropriate first touch.
Awareness
- Decision-making.
Defending
Being compact
- Compactness.
- Pressure.
Covering and recovering
- Cover
- Balance
- Recovery
Passing
- Heading
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES
These challenges can help players develop their learning during the session. They can be presented to the group, or to individuals. These challenges are not exhaustive; they are suggestions.
Attacking
- Look for opportunities to pass forward off one or two touches.
- Let the ball run across your body and play forward as a first action.
- Don’t play the ball back to the player that gave it to you.
- You can’t pass backwards twice in succession once an attack begins.
- Try to see as much of the pitch as you can before you get the ball.
- When receiving, try to guide the ball, rather than stop it.
- Move the ball as quickly as you can from one end to the other.
Defending
- Try not to allow the ball to be played in between you.
- Try to stop the ball being played forward.
- Try to get the ball back within three passes.
- Decide when best to mark opponent or cover your team-mates.
- Decide whether marking on the inside or outside shoulder gives. you the best opportunity to intercept and gain possession.
QUESTIONS THAT SUPPORT CHALLENGES
These can be attached to challenges to further support player learning:
- What did you notice when…?
- How does this help you?
- What stops you…?
- How will you know when to…?
- What were you thinking when you tried that?
- What if you could do…?
- How can you see what to do next?
John Allpress
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