Wed, 22 January

Spatial Awareness

Fast Hands Fast Feet

Fast Hands Fast Feet

Objective

To improve handpassing accuracy, quick decision-making, footwork, and pivoting skills under pressure.

Setup:

  1. Area: Small triangular grid with 3 cones, forming a triangle approximately 3-4 meters apart.
  2. Players:
    • 4 players:
      • 1 Worker (in the middle of the triangle).
      • 3 Feeders (1 at the top cone, and 1 at each of the bottom cones).
    • Roles:
      • The worker pivots and hand passes.
      • The feeders maintain the flow of the drill by passing the balls.
  3. Equipment: 2 balls.

Instructions:

  1. Starting Position:
    • The worker begins at the center of the triangle, facing the feeder at the top cone (Player A).
    • Player A starts with one ball.
    • The second ball is held by one of the bottom feeders (Player B or Player C).
  2. Basic Sequence:
    • Step 1: Player A passes the ball to the worker in the center.
    • Step 2: The worker pivots quickly to their left or right and hand passes the ball to Player B or Player C (the nearest bottom cone feeder).
      • Use the right hand if pivoting right and the left hand if pivoting left.
    • Step 3: After receiving the ball from the worker, Player B or Player C immediately passes their ball back to Player A to reset the sequence.
    • The drill continues in a flowing cycle with Player A constantly feeding the worker and Players B and C returning their balls to Player A to keep the drill moving.
  3. Advanced Progression:
    • Rolling the Ball: Player A occasionally rolls the ball instead of passing it directly.
      • The worker must move quickly to collect the rolled ball, ensuring to:
        • Pick it up with the left foot for left pivots and the right foot for right pivots.
        • Hand pass it to Player B or Player C using the corresponding hand (same side as the pivot).
    • Speed Variation: Increase the pace of feeds to challenge the worker’s reaction time.
  4. Duration:
    • Each worker stays in the middle for 45 seconds before switching roles with another player.

Key Coaching Points:

  1. Footwork:
    • Stay light on your feet, ready to pivot sharply in either direction.
    • Avoid crossing feet when pivoting.
  2. Handpassing Technique:
    • Always use the same hand as the pivoting foot (right hand/right foot; left hand/left foot).
    • Passes should be sharp, accurate, and deliberate.
  3. Vision and Awareness:
    • Ensure a clear line of sight to the target—no blind passes.
    • React quickly to Player A's feed and decide the correct pivot direction.
  4. Communication:
    • Feeders (B and C) should call for the ball to guide the worker’s decisions.
    • The worker should also call out which feeder they’re passing to.

This drill emphasizes smooth transitions, quick handpassing, footwork, and the ability to stay composed while working at high speed.

4 Provinces

4 Square Small Sided Game

Objective: To develop decision-making, scoring efficiency, and positional awareness while rewarding patience and intelligent use of possession.

Setup:

  1. Pitch Layout:
    • The area is marked out as far as the 45-meter line, divided into 4 equal grids (Squares A, B, C, and D).
    • Each grid represents a different type of game or scoring objective.
  2. Teams and Equipment:
    • Players: Divide participants into balanced teams (e.g., 4v4 or 5v5 per grid, depending on squad size).
    • Balls: Place 5 balls at the far corner of each grid to act as the supply for the game in that square.
  3. Game Objectives (One per Grid):
    • Square A: Focus on possession to create distance scores from the left side.
    • Square B: Focus on possession to create distance scores from the right side.
    • Square C: Work on scoring goals (direct or through quick build-up play).
    • Square D: Practice fist-points to simulate close-range scoring situations.

Rules of Play:

  1. Scoring and Ball Rotation:
    • When a team scores, they are rewarded with the next ball from the supply in the far corner of their grid.
    • If a team misses, possession immediately switches to the opposition, and they restart with the next ball.
    • This system rewards teams for being efficient and deliberate with their use of possession.
  2. Duration:
    • Play each round for 45 seconds, emphasizing high intensity and quick decision-making.
    • After each round, rotate the teams clockwise into the next grid.
    • Reset the balls at the far corner of each grid after rotations.

Coaching Focus and Interventions:

  1. Key Areas to Assess:
    • Square A & B: Are players creating space and angles for long-range scores? Are they using patience in possession to find high-percentage shots?
    • Square C: Are players moving effectively to create goal-scoring opportunities? Are they making smart decisions under pressure?
    • Square D: Are players maximizing their return by timing runs and executing clean fist passes for points?
  2. Spot and Probe (Using Questions):
    • Encourage players to reflect on their decision-making:
      • "Did you take the best scoring option available?"
      • "Was there a better pass or shot choice?"
      • "How can you ensure your possession results in a score?"
    • Focus on rewarding patience and intelligent movement rather than rushing play.

Benefits:

  • Encourages efficiency in possession and rewards high-percentage decisions.
  • Players learn to adapt to various scoring scenarios (distance scores, goals, fist points).
  • Develops composure under pressure and emphasizes the importance of teamwork and positional awareness.
  • Keeps all players engaged with frequent rotations and varied scoring challenges.

This drill is excellent for sharpening decision-making and scoring consistency while promoting a competitive and engaging environment for players.