An often overlooked and under-coached aspect of the development of a team is the use of Position Specific Training to focus on the key skills and qualities that individual players require to flourish within their team. The practices in this exercise are designed around specific scenarios within the game which helps the player understand how to perform key actions within their position. The physical demands of a match are also matched, as the activities are realistic to game day scenarios. Social distancing is observed and can be modified for your specific demands.
1. Position Specific – Center Back Defending Aerial Balls Part 1
Setup:
Practice set up in a half field, with three poles set up 15 yards deep of the penalty box. The central pole is 5 yards away from a mannequin. Two mini goals set up as shown above. Four players needed for the exercise, 3 servers and 1 defender working at a time. 9 balls needed for each set. Each defender performs 3 reps (below), with a short recovery break in between while the center back returns back to the pole.
Instructions:
A. Server at A starts by throwing a ball in the air towards the mannequin. The defender must sprint to the mannequin and clear the ball.
B. Once the ball is clear, the server takes a touch to the right or the left and will pass a ball towards one of the goals. The defender must now shift laterally to block to ball from one of these goals.
C and D – continued in next diagram
Coaching Points:
- Lateral and forward movements- speed, agility and power in the last few yards to reach the ball
- Defensive heading- attack the ball at it’s highest point
- Communication- defender must shout a loud and clear command with their name
2. Position Specific – Center Back Defending Aerial Balls Part 2
Setup:
Practice set up in a half field, with three poles set up 15 yards deep of the penalty box. The central pole is 5 yards away from a mannequin. Two mini goals set up as shown above. Four players needed for the exercise, 3 servers and 1 defender working at a time. 9 balls needed for each set. Each defender performs 3 reps (below), with a short recovery break in between while the center back returns back to the pole.
Instructions:
C. After ball B is played, the server will then play a ball out to a wide player (left or right). The left/ right server takes a touch down the line to cross into the box (aerial). The defender recovers into the box and clears the ball.
D. The server plays out to the side they haven’t played yet (left or right). The center back sprints to the pole before defending one more ball played into the center.
Once the rep is done (A, B, C and D), the defender walks back to the pole (10-15 secs), then repeat the rep 2 more times (3 in total).
Coaching Points:
- Lateral and forward movements- speed, agility and power in the last few yards to reach the ball
- Defensive heading- attack the ball at it’s highest point
- Communication- defender must shout a loud and clear command with their name
3. Position Specific 2: Central Midfielder Transition
Setup:
Half field set up as above. 3 zones set up in the half with 2 lanes on the goal line (right and left of the goal) with one lane starting at the halfway line going towards the goal. One neutral server/ coach starts in the central zone. One set completed, then one new center midfielder begins.
Instructions:
The central midfielder starts with the ball dribbling from the halfway line;
A. Player plays a give and go with the neutral player and finishes on goal in two touches.
B. Player from behind the goal (in red) plays a ball to the top of the box for the central midfielder to finish in two touches.
C. Next diagram
Coaching Points:
- Technical quality- passing and receiving, first touch to set for a shot
- Defensive transition- reaction, speed and defensive recovery to defend 2 v 1
4. Position Specific 2: Central Midfielder Transition Part 2
Setup:
Half field set up as above. 3 zones set up in the half with 2 lanes on the goal line (right and left of the goal) with one lane starting at the halfway line going towards the goal. Two mini goals set up inside the mini channel. One neutral server/ coach starts in the central zone. One set completed, then a new center midfielder begins.
Instructions:
C. Once the 2nd shot is taken, one red player dribbles out from the goal line with the other red player supporting. Staying in their own lanes, they attempt to attack 2 v 1 to score on either of the mini goals, with the center midfielder recovering to defend the goals.
Coaching Points:
- Technical quality- passing and receiving, first touch to set for a shot
- Defensive transition- reaction, speed and defensive recovery to defend 2 v 1
5. Position Specific 3: Winger 1 v 1, Crossing and Finishing Part 1
Setup:
Pole set up 20 yards from the box with 10 balls, with 2 poles set up towards the corner of the each box (on each side). A winger is ready on the box with an outside back. One striker waits on top of the box.
Instructions:
Balls start from the player at the center pole who plays out wide to the winger. On the wingers first touch (A) the wing back (B) can defend against the cross (as long as they stay in their own lane) and the winger attempts to cross for the attacker in the middle.
Coaching Points:
- Positive first touch to attack on the wingers first touch
- 1 v 1 quality, use of body feints and footwork to create a yard for a cross
- Finishing- quality with 2 touches to set the winger for a shot on goal
6. Position Specific 3: Winger 1 v 1, Crossing and Finishing Part 2
Setup:
Pole set up 20 yards from the box with 10 balls, with 2 poles set up towards the corner of the each box (on each side). A winger is ready on the box with an outside back. One striker waits on top of the box. Players reset and repeat for 3 reps before switching roles. Left wingers go from the left side.
Instructions:
C. After the cross from the winger, the central player plays the ball to the winger who takes their first touch towards goal and then strikes a ball on goal.
Coaching Points:
- Positive first touch to attack on the wingers first touch.
- 1 v 1 quality, use of body feints and footwork to create a yard for a cross.
- Finishing- quality with 2 touches to set the winger for a shot on goal.