PLAYING IN CONGESTED AREAS 7 v 5 7

PLAYING IN CONGESTED AREAS

7 v 5 7 v 3 7 v 4 PLAYING IN CONGESTED AREAS

F F F 8 players Area of 15 x 15 yds ? PLAYING IN CONGESTED AREAS

Congested area passing REQUIREMENTS / CONSEQUENCES Awareness of circumstance. Speedy athletic qualities – agility, etc. Quickness of reaction. Rapid decision making. HOW to PRACTICE Focus – narrow and global Quick arrangement of feet, hips and body. Reduced / confined areas. Split second change of decision and action. Larger numbers in standard areas. Varied first receiving touch. Escape / safe areas. Varied release surfaces. Space and / or time imposition. Cunning and deceit before and on delivery. Touches and surface challenge. Capability to secure and protect the ball. Speed and intensity of practice. Ball manipulation at speed. Tempo variation. Quick passing orthodoxy needed. Unusual and unorthodox passing necessity. Reduced backlift / address before the pass. COACHES CHECKLIST ! Complementary receiving skills.

HOW TO PRACTICE ! INDIVIDUAL POSSESSION DEVELOPMENT Ball retention and intelligent possession useage as the fundamental factor. Ball familiarity, manipulation and protection as a foundation. Reduced space and congested area practice. Minimal touches. At optimal speed especially, and reduced speeds as appropriate. Fast and slow technical practice situations. In varied directions and circumstances. Opposed practice and technique work. Employing as wide a range of surfaces as possible. Encourage disguise. Encourage craft, unorthodoxy, versatility and ingenuity. Tolerate errors that are developmental. Reward and espouse technical excellence.

“ARGENTINA” 1. Aerial Passing All surfaces 2. Playing “fast” football Playing “slow” football. 3 v 1 & escape zone 8 yd x 6 yd CONGESTED AREA PASSING Two games of 3 v 1 10 yd x 10 yd

CONGESTED AREA PASSING Two games of 4 v 2 Area 18 yd x 18 yd “ Creative” zones

CONGESTED AREA PASSING 50 UP ! Playing in congested areas. 7 v 7 with 2 / 3 neutral players Area 35 yds x 30 yds and “creative” zone.

Otamendi Veron Mascherano MIDFIELD PLAY

DIAGONAL RUNNING & “SWITCHING” @ ends & middle

TURNS Drag Turn Pass and follow. Use of middle man for “wall passes”.

3 second safe zone 5 V 5 +2 F 30 yds Find a receiver inside the 3 second zone. 30 yds

8 v 8 with “safe areas” at position 4 and position 10

8 v 8 - basket ball and all must defend inside the restricted area. Convert to “soccer”.

ADVANCED PASSING SKILLS

FREE – FLOW PASSING MINIMAL TOUCH PLAY AT SPEED – wall passes off designated player. Varied distances and surfaces - area – 30 yds x 20 yds.

3 v 1 – DF - 3 v 1 10 yds 5 yds 10 yds

4 v 2 – DF - 4 v 2 20 yds 5 yds 20 yds Play 4 v 2 and deliver – through or over the mannequins. 2 opponents press the receiving group on the delivery. If more appropriate reduce to 3 v 1 at each end.

15 yds 5 v 5 and 2 “neutrals” Score by passing to the target players. Route is protected by defender on the line

FREE FLOW PASSING MINIMAL TOUCH PLAY AT SPEED – area 30 yds x 20 yds

FREE FLOW PASSING 30 yds 20 yds MINIMAL TOUCH PLAY AT SPEED – OPPOSED PRACTICE

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