struggling to understand this activity

[AAbestor]

a 20 X 20 yard grid is created. To start, position eight players in the square and number them 1-8.

Explanation:
Player 1 passes to Player 2, Player 2 passes to Player 3 and so on. Player 8 passes the ball back to Player 1. After playing the pass each player must touch one of the corners of the playing area. A player may not go to the same corner twice in a row. If two groups are playing next to each other they can compete against each other, the first group to complete 10 cycles (80 passes total) wins.

Coaching Points:

• Timing of runs
• Creation of angles and triangles
• Communication and maintaining a high tempo.
  Progression include two touch and one touch and add a second or third ball if applicable..

my question is why would they be making the run after the pass instead of before receiveing it?

[Jerzy]

The idea is probably two-fold. The first is to create movement within the grid so that everyone has to have their heads up and be looking, both for the receiving ball, and for the ball you are going to play to the person after you. The second reason is that you're not going to make a pass and then just stand around, you make a pass and you continue to move into space, either to support the person who received the ball, or the person who is next going to get the ball. What you want is players moving all the time, and this game should help.

[74offsuit]

Originally Posted by AAbestor

my question is why would they be making the run after the pass instead of before receiveing it?

Some players will only move when the ball enters their 'sphere of influence'. Players should be coached to be moving at all times. All players can affect the game wherever they are on the pitch, attacking and defending.

It is also common to see a player stand and admire his pass, rather than move into another phase.

Wenger does a session where players are 'triggered'. As player A moves or passes the ball, Player B, who may be on opposite wing, begins his run. When the team get really good at this, it becomes second nature where that player is going to be.

[lanesra]

Wow, I used to use this drill a fair amount five or six years ago with a team I was an assistant for, and I had completely forgotten about it. I must be getting old.

Good warmup game, but it helped us with communication a bit as everyone in the square would chant out who was supposed to get it next. We didn't have the requirement that you had to go run to a corner, so everyone sort of ran figure 8s and we got into the rhythm where we were making a short 1-2 touch pass every other beat.

You know, I think it would work this spring. Thanks for bringing it AA.

[Val]

I can see this as being a good warmup game, too, Lanesra. And I too am looking for something new, as the warmups need to get a bit more challenging because this spring I'm going to be introducing more stretching for the girls.

[AAbestor]

yea i got that, I was just looking over some coaching notes on my friends D test and wondered why he wasn't marked down for going off topic. lol here is the rest of the session.

Activity # 2
Set Up:
As shown in the diagram, two areas are created approx 20 X 20 each. Eight red players are in one square and eight green players in the other. The coach should have several balls available in between the two squares. The green team has just won the ball and is transitioning back to their grid to possess the ball.

Diagram (b)
Explanation:
The coach passes a ball to the red players. They try to complete 8 passes to score a point. Three green players come and try to steal the ball. If they win possession and pass into their own square they score a point. They now have the ball and try to complete the eight passes, while the three red defenders try to steal the ball. If the ball goes out of bounds off of any player the coach passes a new ball into the other square, no points are scored but possession has changed.
.
Coaching Points:

• Creation of angles and triangles
• Communication, high tempo, and quick transition.
• Encourage the players to be moving and not always in a circle.
  Progressions include; if you lose the ball you must become a defender, two touch, one touch if applicable.

Activity # 3
Set Up:
As shown in the diagram, an area is created approx 60 X 45 with 6 goals. 6 reds play against 6 greens, there are two neutral players in yellow who can be used by either team. There are 6 goals and they are two yards wide. Behind the goals is a goalkeeper who will act as a target player.

Diagram (c)
Explanation:
In order to score a team must pass through one of the three goals they are shooting toward and the pass must be received by the hands or feet of the target player.
Coaching Points:

• Timing of run
• Creation of angles and triangles
• Communication, quick transition, high tempo, overlaps, wall passes and takeovers.
  Progressions include two touch, one touch and you can´t pass to the person who gave it to you.

Activity # 4
Set Up:
As shown in the diagram, an area is created approx 70 X 50 with goals. 6 reds plus a keeper play against 6 greens plus a keeper, there are two neutral players who can be used by either team.

Diagram (d)
Explanation:
Normal soccer rules apply.
.
Coaching Points:

• Creation of angles and triangles
• Timing of runs, speed of play, overlaps, one-twos, takeovers and quick transition
• Communication

Activity # 5 Final Activity
Set Up:
Create a 70x50 yard area with goals. 8 greens v 8 reds to goal.

Diagram (d)Explanation:
Both teams compete for the ball and attempt to score in their opponents goal. Normal soccer rules apply.
.
Coaching Points:

• All previous points of emphasis
• No touch limitations or restrictions

[74offsuit]

Nice activities, I will use these.

[mcolwell1959]

I use activities 1, 3 and 4 in pre match warm ups and they are good. Although sometimes you have to reduce the size of the playing area. Does anyone have any competitve pre match warm ups that are different?