This practice focuses on developing players ability to defend outnumbered, maintaining possession to finish and quick transitions. We split the area in half, with one half starting with a 7 v 3 game. The objective is for the attacking team to make 5 passes and connect with the floater at least once before being able to finish. If there is a finish or a transfer of possession, the players must transition to the other half where the other team now have the numerical advantage in the 7 v 3 game. Defending as a unit, drawing the defenders out to one side to exploit the space and quick reactions to transition are key points in this one! 🫡⚽️

🔥 Evade Your Marker to Receive | 85-P1

Do your players have a problem with losing their marker to receive? This simple practice will focus on further developing this technical skill. One player will start in the central area up against a defender with the objective to keep moving, evade the defender and play bounce passes with the outside players. Players must try different short sharp movements to outfox the defender and give them space to receive passes. Let's create solid technical foundations for our players! 💪⚽️

⚽️ Press to Win Possession & Counter | 49-P8

It's time to get our players pressing as a unit and initiating quick counters from the midfield third in this wave practice. We have a 6 v 3 possession zone, with the objective for the three defenders to win the ball and quickly transition to attack against the team of three who's player lost possession. Pressing as a collective unit to cover passing angles and force mistakes, working at a high intensity to not allow attackers time on the ball and quick transitions from defence to attack are key in this practice! 🔥⚽️

The Tactical Periodization Approach! 🎉

We have recently created more in depth practices and sessions in the last few weeks, to help you aid player recovery and conditioning from a tactical and physical perspective for games on the weekend.

It would be great to hear if this is useful for you or not in the comments below... 👌 (Yes or No)

🔥 Possession to Penetrate | 48-P8

This practice focuses on developing possession and initiating attacks from the midfield third. We begin with a 7 v 5 + floater in the central zone, with the objective for the team starting with possession (Red) to play penetrating passes through the gates for the fullbacks, who deliver inside the box where a 3 v 2 attacking overload takes place. If the defenders win possession, they must keep the ball in a 5 v 3 + floater, with the objective to play through either of the three gates to trigger a 3 v 2 attack. Passing quality, recognition when to play penetrating passes and speed of support are key in this one! ⚽️🔥

⚽️ Possession, Agility & Finishing | 24-P8

It's time to turn quality possession into goals in this wave practice! We setup by creating a 3 v 3 + 2 possession area, with the objective for the attacking team to make 8 passes, triggering a 3 v 2 attack. The three losing defending players left behind must perform 20-yard shuttle runs and move through the ladders before the game restarts, while the two extra attacking players receive a ball and must make 20 quick passes between themselves. Players must focus on speed to exploit the overload in attack, passing quality and movement to maintain possession and clinical finishing in the final third. 🔥⚽️ 

🔥 Defend and Break out to Counter | 27-P13

This Phase 5 practice focuses on organised defending and triggering quick counters after winning possession. We have three stations running simultaneously in this practice, 1 physical, 1 skill + physical and the main 5 v 5 attack v defence game. Once the defenders win possession, they must play out to either fullbacks or the striker to trigger the 5 v 3 counter attack. Organise and force play to one side to create regain opportunities and get compact to force mistakes are key to succeeding in this one! 💪⚽️

🔥 Press to Force Direction | 19-P9

This functional game can be used on a Thursday as part of a Matchday -2: Speed of Play training day. The objective is for the defensive team to remain compact and press to force the attackers to one side of the area, creating opportunities to win possession. If the defenders win the ball, they must combine and finish past the goalkeeper. Identify pressing triggers, defending the mini goals and communicating effectively are key coaching points in this one! 🫡⚽️

⚽️ Defensive Pressing & Covering | 19-P4

In this practice, we will focus on developing technical pressing and defensive covering techniques when working as a pair. Two players will work together, either pressing the ball or providing cover on the mannequin depending on the position of the ball. Getting tight as quick as possible and moving into the covering position as quickly as possible after the pass is made are key in this practice! ⚽️