Blog
Wide Area Rondo
Wide Area Rondo is a great functional 8V8 position specific activity to goal with an emphasis on attacking out of wide areas. Adjust the system of play to fit your teams style of play and personnel. Challenge your players by increasing the difficulty of the wide area rondo. Breakdown a compact opponent by finding ways to combine to get in behind with the #9, #10, and overlapping outside backs, #2 and #3.
Dinamo Zagreb Passing
This passing activity was observed by SoccerSpecific Staff in Zagreb while watching the Dinamo Zagreb youth teams train at their training facility. This activity will be especially effective in the U10-U14 age group, but can be used at higher levels as well.
Diamond Passing
Diamond Passing will help you focus on passing and receiving technique, movements and timing of runs, creating separation from defender (cones) by checking away before receiving each pass, playing away from the mannequin, change of pace, speed of play, and game awareness.Try these fast paced passing variations in tight spaces with your team!
3V3 + 1 Defending
3V3 + 1 Defending is a competitive finishing activity that focuses on close range finishing in and around the goal area. This is a great way for your GKs to work on reaction saves while your attackers can hone in on their shooting accuracy. Adjust the size of the goals or playing area to fit the demands of your players.
6V6 Attacking Patterns
Here is an attacking activity from Stuart Sharp, currently the Head Coach of the U.S. Paralympic National Soccer Team. Playing out of a 2-3-1 in attack and defending in a 4-2 block, this activity is a very economic way of utilizing his entire roster of 14 players. Paralympic soccer is 7-a-side format with no offside. Run through these eight patterns to goal focusing on trying to find ways to break down a very compact 4-2 defense. If they drop on top of their goal mouth, utilize shots from distance and service from wide areas. If they maintain a defensive line higher up the field, look to utilize combination play getting the 9,7, and 11 in behind. Remember, no offside!
7V7 Screening Defenders
7V7 Screening Defenders is an excellent 7V7 training game that focuses on two main components. From an attacking standpoint, when do we possess and when do we break lines and penetrate? From a defensive standpoint, how do we cut off passing lanes and deny penetrating passes in behind? Add GKs and go to goal at the end and finish with a very competitive 8V8 match!
6V6 Interchange
6V6 Interchange is a fast-paced, transitional and continuous action possession activity that focuses on your players ability to maintain possession, improve passing accuracy, improve mobility and movement off the ball, combination play, and decide when to penetrate or when to possess.
Clint Stricker Team Warmup
This is a great standard warm up for all the teams in your club. An excellent video on pre-activity activation that can also help to support a players’ overall athletic development.
Rondo Breakout to Goal
Rondo Breakout to Goal helps you find the balance between patiently establishing a rhythm of play in possession and being deliberate with explosive movements towards goal.
Goalkeeper Reactions & Decisions
GK Reactions & Decisions is an economical, creative, and comprehensive way of training both your GKs in one activity. If your objective is shot stopping and you would like to focus on reactions and dealing with congestion in the box, spend 20 minutes and try this activity. The key is to train the breakaway, shot, and chip so your GK develops a clear understanding of where his/her starting position should be.
Positional Rondos 4-2-3-1 Formation
Here is a unique way of working on team shape in possession, building working relationships of small groups within your team and its formation, as well as painting the overall picture of where players need to be based on the position of the ball and the opponent.
Breaking Enemy Lines
Breaking Enemy Lines take the players’ low level of fitness into account while maintaining social distancing rules. During the session, players focus on the core concepts of the technical and tactical elements of the game, using individual ball mastery skills and the ability to break lines through different types of passes to build soccer specific fitness in a methodical way.