Take 1
The rain varied in intensity as it juggled between a drizzle and downpour. Yellow boots and black boots and white boots ebbing between the cones, some heavier in foot, others lighter and sharper.
Shots fired: “Great save keeper!”, “Excellent finish!”, “You’ve got to hit the target there!!”
What a way to enter the session.
‘Today we’re going to focus on possession. We need you to move the ball quickly, incisively, make the other team work. Create angles and options on the ball, keep the width, either pass around or through them. Midfielders, find little pockets of space and get on the ball. Understand when to suck the opponent in with short passes and when to switch the play. Consider the tempo of the game- do we always need to play at the same pace, or can we vary our play a bit?’
With the emphasis of the session being possession-based, variations of this keep-ball activity emphasise particular focus points:
Condition 1: Every player must touch the ball before scoring:
The emphasis for this is on circulating the ball across the team, stretching the pitch and promoting width of play.
The in-game application is that sustained possessions wears out the opponent and works them from side to side thus creating gaps between defensive lines. Overtime this will result in increased space for opportunities to be created as the opponent tires.
Condition 2: Can score directly from an interception as opposed to each player of the team needing to touch the ball.
This promotes high pressing, quick transitions, and rewards interceptions with goals. As the well-known coinage suggests, a team is most vulnerable defensively when they are attacking.
The closer to goal you win the ball, the easier it is to score.
Condition 3: Three touch maximum; the team can score after 3 passes: consider the size of the pitch and the number of players
Restricting the number of touches forces the players to make quick decisions when on the ball. It requires them to scan the pitch before receiving the ball, understand where their teammates and opponents are, and make the right decision when in possession.
An in-game application can be in three vs three scenarios when counterattacking, working the ball around the box to engineer a shot on goal, or in midfield where the players are playing short passes in triangles. Long switches of play can prove difficult unless the receiving player is not isolated, thus this approach lends itself towards intricate, short passes.
Being able to score after three passes promotes passing sequences however reduces the incentive to pass the ball aimlessly without purpose. Ultimately the aim is to score goals, and doing so as quickly as possible is always encouraged. This can only be done if chances are created and shots are taken.
Key takeaways for the week:
Understand the purpose of a drill: Reflect on what you’re trying to achieve and make it clear to the players. In the case of a possession drill, clearly state the type of passes encouraged, why certain stipulations are placed- always link it back to a game context otherwise what is practiced may not be replicated on game day.
Team morale greases the wheels: a happy team is a functioning team. As we’ve seen in many instances, a dejected squad bears no fruit and has no harmony, as such monitor tensions among players and encourage effective communication.
Intentions > Outcomes: Whilst the outcome of a decision (e.g. a shot leading to a goal or a awry pass leading to a concession), focus on the intention of a decision rather than the requisite effect. Remember the age of the players- what you stifle now will remain dormant forever, whereas the mistakes of today with the right intentions can lead to the successes of tomorrow. Refrain from killing the confidence of a player because he failed a step over or lost possession when playing a through-ball. Recognise that some players need their magic encouraged, however guide them as to how, when, and where on the pitch it should be implemented.
Project Carlo has commenced!
To a simpler life;