Object Of The Training Session - Encourage your players to make the game easy for themselves by playing the way they are facing and be able to pick the right time to turn so that they can be more creative.

Practicing The Skill –  Player 2 starts with the ball and passes the ball down the line for player 1 to run across to and play the ball back first time. Player 1 then moves quickly to the other cone to receive the pass from player 3 and again play a first time pass back. This sequence continues for about 1 – 2 minutes, depending on the fitness of the players, as shown in the diagram below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Developing The Drill – This drill continues nicely from the one above with a few additions and the introduction of a defender. Player 1 must call out the name of the person from whom he is receiving the pass from. Depending on the position of the defender, player 4, he can either make the game easy and play a pass straight back to the person he has received it off, or he can elect to turn the defender and dribble the ball over the line as shown in the diagram below. A good tip is to go one way and then quickly the other before shouting out to receive the pass. This should allow you to get to the ball well before the defender, giving you a great opportunity to turn and get over the line. Be patient though! Please see below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Moving The Drill Into A More Realistic Game Situation – Player 1 starts with the ball and just like the drill above, only plays the pass once instructed to do so by player 2. Again, player 2 can either be patient and pass the ball first time back to the first player or he can turn and bring his team mates into play, players 3 and 4. If he elects to turn and pass to his team mates, the game becomes live and players can move anywhere around the marked out area until either the ball goes out of play or a goal is scored passed player 8. Please note that players 3,4,6,and 7 are not allowed inside the marked out area where players 2 and 5 are until the game becomes live. Please see the diagram below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game Situation – Play a normal sided game encouraging your players to be patient and play the way they are facing, but when presented with the opportunity, be able to make the correct decision to turn and attack.

PENDLE VERDICT – These are great drills to practice first time passing and playing the way you are facing. They are also very good drills to encourage players to be patient and only elect to turn when presented with the opportunity to do so. This isn’t to say that players should never be positive, it is more the case that they should learn to make the correct decisions in a positive way. 

YOUR VERDICT – What do you think?

Object Of The Training Session - Create a goal scoring opportunity by getting your midfield to play a one, two with the centre forward, encouraging players off the ball to make a run in behind the defence so that the creative midfielder can pick them out, giving them the opportunity to score.

Practicing The Skill – Player 1 starts with the ball about 10 – 15 meters away from the second player. He passes the ball, playing a one, two with him, before passing and following his pass to player 3. With his second touch, player 3 passes and follows his pass to the second player who is facing him. With his first touch, he lightly, but confidently knocks the ball back to player 3 before turning and running back to the cone.  The sequence continues as shown in the diagram below. Care must be taken with the initial pass and also the first touch of the player in the middle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Developing The Drill – Player 1 in midfield starts with the ball and plays a one, two with the centre forward (player 2), before passing to player 3 to run on to and score. The first player replaces player 2 and to keep the drill flowing, player 2 moves behind the cone where player 5 is positioned, as shown in the diagram below. The fifth player continues the sequence, playing a one, two with the centre forward (now player 1) before playing a through ball to player 6. The drill is repeated as shown in the diagram below. Please note that ball collectors will be required behind the goal to keep the drill moving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving The Drill Into A More Realistic Game Situation – As with the drill above, player 1 starts with the ball and passes to to the centre forward (player 2) who must lay the ball off first time. At this stage, the drill becomes more of an “open practice” in that the midfielder (player 1) can play a first time pass to any of the other 3 players on his team. The attacking players off the ball (players 3,4 & 5) must work hard to make a run in behind the defence. Player 1′s decision on the correct pass to make is dependent on the run of his team mates. The practice continues until either the defending team retrieve the ball, a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play. Please see the diagram below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game Situation – If possible, finish with a normal sided game encouraging the “up, back and through” pattern of play. Players won’t like it, but you can introduce a “two touch game” to encourage this to happen. Two goals may be rewarded if a goal is scored from this game situation.

PENDLE VERDICT – This is a great practice to encourage first time, quick passing in attacking areas. It will also focus the players off the ball to work hard to get into areas where they may have an opportunity to score. High intensity is required to make all the drills work.

YOUR VERDICT – What do you think?