Mick McDermott is currently the fitness/strength coach with Al Ain Football Club of the United Arab Emirates. Originally from Belfast, Ireland, Mick coached and played professionally in the US prior to working with Al Ain FC.

Mick holds both UEFA ´A´ and USSF ´A´ Coaching Licenses and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the NSCA.
Mick is also co-founder / co-owner of the SoccerSpecific.com website.

Speed of Play / Short Passing Emphasis

Activity 1 Warm Up:

Set Up:
16 players – 4 groups of 4 players are organised inside 12 x 12 yard grids as shown below. 1 ball per group.
Goalkeepers work separately with goalkeeper coach.

Instructions:
Players move freely passing the ball using 1 or 2-touch play. Players are encouraged to pass the way they are facing to increase the tempo of the exercise.

Coaching Points:

• Sharp accurate passing
• Movement off the ball – angles, distance etc to receive pass.
• Communication at all times.
• Increase tempo as warm-up progresses.

Activity #2

Set Up:
Two 12 x 15 yard grids are created as shown below. 4 players (red) are positioned inside the grid : 4 opposition players are positioned outside the grid as shown. The coaches are positioned outside each grid with a supply of balls.

Instructions:
A ball is rolled into area to start the exercise. Two defenders (yellow) run into the grid and attempt to steal the ball. When defender steals ball they must run back and tag hands of next 2 defenders : new ball is served to repeat the sequence with the other two defenders.

A total of 4 balls are passed into the grid – teams switch roles after the fourth ball.

Team that executes the greatest number of passes for the 4 balls wins the game.
NOTE: Game is of a high intensity – allow adequate rest between games – perform light technical work / calisthenics to speed recovery.

Coaching Points:

• Sharp accurate passing.
• Movement off the ball – angles, distance etc to receive pass.
• Accuracy / weight of passing.
• Communication at all times.
• Play must be at a fast pace!!

Activity #3

Set Up:
A 3v3 + 2 neutral (white) players is organised inside a 15 x 20 yard grid as shown. Two grids are organised to accomodate the entire team (NOTE: only one grid is illustrated) A supply of balls should be placed around the perimeter of the playing area to keep the flow of the activity.

Instructions:
Players attempt to maintain possession through sharp passing and movement. Players can pass to the “neutral” players on the outside of the grids – neutral players are limited to 1 or 2-touch (depending on ability). 7 consecutive passes = 1 point.

Play for designated period of time.

NOTE: Game is fatiguing – allow adequate recovery between games – perform light technical work / calisthenics between games to allow for full recovery.

Coaching Points:

• Sharp accurate passing / movement.
• Angles / distance of support players.
• Accuracy / weight of passes.
• Communication – visual / verbal cues.

Activity #4

Set Up:
A 4v4 + goalkeepers is organised on a 40 x 20 yard playing area as shown.
NOTE: Two additional teams of 4 players perform light technical work with the assistant coach as recovery between games of 4v4.

Instructions:
Both teams compete for possession of the ball and attempt to score in their opponents goal. Sharp passing / 1 and 2-touch play is encouraged at all times.

Coaching Points:

• Sharp passing / movement.
• Accuracy / weight of passes.
• Communication – visual / verbal cues.
• High tempo throughout game.
• 1 and 2-touch restriction (if required to increaase the tempo)
• Competitiveness!!!!

Activity #5 Final Game

Set Up:
An 8v8 + goalkeepers is organised as shown below.

Instructions:
Both teams compete for possession of the ball and attempt to score in their opponents goal.

Play for designated period of time.

Coaching Points:

• Review and implement all previous coaching points –
• Sharp / accurate passing and movement.
• High tempo at all times.
• Encourage 1 and 2-touch play.
• Play “the way your face” – don´t turn into pressure.
• Communication at all times.