On this week's MSC YouTube Breakdown we take a look at a common practice a lot of club coaches will face in the winter months: training with limited field space. In our 'reality based' challenge, we have focused on creating a session with a purpose, along with a flow in terms of the organization. You can watch the full breakdown below. (Please subscribe to our YouTube channel if you haven't already!) And then we will provide the session details on this post.
Initial Set-Up:
We are planning for a session where a coach has been designated the 'middle third' of a training pitch. This would be approximately 40x60 yards of space that we will plan the full session around - along with two full sized goals and a selection of balls and cones.
Organization:
In the video, we discuss how we would set-up the entire session prior to delivery. To do this, we have marked three playing areas inside the initial training zone. We are not using the full width so we have a smaller area (dark blue), medium sized area (red), and then finally a white area where the two goals are located. (See below)
Part One: 4v4v4 Transition and Transfer Game
Dimensions: 10x25 (5 yard median)
- One team starts as defensive team
- Two players press in opponent's zone
- Two players screen passes
- After 5 consecutive passes, possession team look to transfer ball across
- One transfer = 1 point
- If a team loses possession, they switch with defensive team
- 3x3 mins with 60 seconds recovery
Part Two: 4v4+4 Target Game
Dimensions: 20x25 yards with 5 yard end zones on each side
- One neutral in each end zone
- Two neutrals in middle
- Neutrals play for team in possession - limited to two touches
- One point for each successful transfer from end zone to end zone
- If possession is lost, roles switch immediately
- Play 6x3 minute games with 90 second recovery
- Rotate neutrals after each game
Part Three: 6v6+2 with Wide Neutrals
Dimensions: 20x40 yards with GKs introduced
- One neutral on each wing
- Neutrals limited to two touches
- Bonus point for a goal with involvement of neutral
- If teams score, they get possession again
- Play 3x5 mins games and rotate neutrals after each one
Part Four: 6v6+2 with Central Neutrals
Dimensions: 20x40 yards with GKs introduced
- Two neutrals in the middle
- Neutrals limited to two touches
- Bonus point for a goal with involvement of neutral
- If teams score, they get possession again
- Play 2x7 mins games and rotate neutrals after each one
