Hugh Bell has been an Associate Head Coach at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona since 1992. Yavapai is the most dominant junior college program over the past 17 years winning 5 National Championships and National runner-up 5 times. They have produced 33 All-Americans, 4 National Players of the Year and currently have 3 alumni competing in top professional leagues in the US and abroad.
Bell, a graduate of Arizona State University, has been honored as the National Assistant Coach of the Year for 2003 as well as a finalist in 2004.
Develop and Improve Field Vision and Awareness –
“Heads Up”
Warm Up:
Players work in pairs as shown in Diagram (a) below. Players are positioned approximately 10-15 yards apart with one ball.
Objective:
Players pass the ball back and forth along the ground. Player receiving the ball must attempt to receive the ball side-ways on and take a quick glance over their shoulder prior to receiving the ball to check for “Man-on”
Progressions:
As above, except passes are played in the air.
Groups of three as shown in Diagram (b) below. Player (A) passes to Player (B). Player (C) acts as the defender. Player (B) must glance over his shoulder and decide to turn or play the ball back to Player (A). Players continuously rotate to be the defender.
Coaching Points:
- Move towards the ball – don’t wait for it.
- Receive in a half-turned, sideways-on stance.
- Glance over your shoulder prior to receiving the pass – see the pressure!
Activity #1:
Set Up:
Three teams of 4 players are selected. A 4v4 is organized inside a 30×30 yard grid as shown below in Diagram (c). The third team of 4 players (white) is positioned around the perimeter of the playing area as shown.
Objective:
Both teams compete for possession of the ball inside the playing area. A point is awarded every time a player glances over his shoulder prior to receiving a pass. Teams must attempt to keep possession of the ball for as long as possible. Either team may pass to the perimeter team (white) at any time. Perimeter players are limited to one-touch.
2-minute games. Each team plays twice then rotates off to be the perimeter team.
Coaching Points:
- Sharp passing and movement off the ball.
- Move towards the ball – don’t wait for it.
- Receive in a half-turned, sideways-on stance.
- Glance over your shoulder prior to receiving the pass – see the pressure!
- Quick decisions – don’t get caught in possession.
Progression:
4 v 4 + a floater (F) inside the playing area as shown in Diagram (d) below. No perimeter players can be utilized. Points are awarded for 5 consecutive passes as well as for 5 consecutive glances “over-the-shoulder”.
Activity#2:
Set Up:
A 40 x 40 yard field is created as shown in Diagram (e) below. A 5v5 + goalkeepers is organized inside the playing area. Goalkeepers are utilized at each side of the grid as shown.
Objective:
Both teams compete for possession of the ball and attempt to complete the designated number of passes for a point to be awarded. 5 consecutive passes = 1 point. Players are encouraged to switch the play to either goalkeeper as often as possible.
Coaching Points:
- Peripheral vision – glance over shoulder for pressure as well as passing options.
- Switch the ball early and often.
- Sharp ball movement to simulate game-like situations..
- Receive balls in sideways-on position.
Activity #3 Final Game:
Set Up:
Squad is divided into two teams as shown in Diagram (f) below. Goalkeepers are positioned in each goal on a 60 x 44 yard field.
Objective:
Both teams compete for possession of the ball and attempt to score in their opponents goal – No restrictions are in place. Players are encouraged to play at a high tempo to create game-like situations.
Coaching Points:
- Consistently look over-the-shoulder prior to receiving any ball.
- Look for “Man-on” or “Turn” situations.
- Players should think about having the awareness to quickly switch the play to change the point of attack.
- Players should relax while in possession of the ball.
- Quick decision making to avoid pressure from behind.