Football with Purpose: Training to Play, Not to Repeat
As we’ve discussed before, this section focuses on training exercises used with teams I’ve coached, always contextualized and aimed at understanding the reasoning and objectives behind each one.
If you want to learn how these exercises were created and the ideas that shaped this approach, click here.
Context
We’re in the 2022 season in Halifax, Canada.
We were looking for drills for the day before matchday that would achieve two main goals: create a fun atmosphere and help activate the players for the upcoming game. In this case, the activity was integrated into the warm-up routine and, in many cases, players also completed other specific tasks with the fitness coach before or after.
We wanted the activity to revolve around the ball and to involve two players so that the physical activation was complete.
Deception and Finishing
We set up two goals facing each other, about 10 meters apart. In the center, we place three balls, spaced one meter apart. The group is split into two teams, lined up behind each goal.
The first two players stand facing each other at the center ball. One of them will take the initiative. This player can move and fake to deceive the opponent, but cannot touch the balls until making their final decision.
As soon as the player touches a ball, they must carry it and try to score in their own team’s goal.
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- If the player scores, their team keeps the initiative.
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- If they miss or the opponent manages to touch the ball, the initiative switches to the other team.
Key Considerations
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- You can replace the goal with a target line the player must cross with the ball. In that case, the chasing player should be required to touch a cone or perform some movement before pursuing.
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- If you allow shooting, you can set a shooting restriction line. The distance of this line should be adapted to the group’s level.
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- Another variation is using six balls and allowing the chaser to also carry a ball during the pursuit. If so, increase the distance and only allow shooting after a set number of meters.
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