Conditioned Game: Defending in middle block
For a slow defender, the body orientation when facing a through ball is key in order to beat a faster forward. Your player’s mental quickness when making the right decision about the body shape will them improve against the through balls.
Conditioned Game: 8 Zones, Speed of Play and Change of Pace
The best way for advancing in the game is to not to repeat too many passes in the same zone. Just by setting up one rule and different zones we will be able to create the scenario where the players will discover, by themselves, the perfect offensive timing.
Transitions: Narrow down the spaces
The following situations are basic tactical and repeated situations in the game: The team that loses the ball has to close spaces, the team winning the ball back has to start winning width, opening up the field. You can practice this drill continuously.
Defense in middle block for interior passes
To defend the central lane is key, and, to orientate the rival so he can just play at the side generates an advantage in order to get the ball back.
Numerical Superiority/Inferiority (4vs3, 3vs2, 2vs1,…)
To identify superiority and inferiority for a right and quick decision making both offensively and defensively is a really fun drill for all ages.
Double Box: Counterattack with players outside the active zone
To connect with players which are the farthest away possible from the ball is a synonymous of a good counter attack. To prevent your rivals of doing it is a synonymous of a good press after losing the ball and an accurate drop back. In this drill your players will improve both the defensive and the offensive transitions. The dimensions will be the double of the box.
Double Box: Tactical Balance
If your team, while it is attacking, keeps a balanced structure, it will be ready to defend rapidly in an appropriate way when losing the ball. It will make your players be better at finishing, at pressing after losing the ball, in the counter attack, in the previous moves to the ball loss etc.
Rondo: draw in rivals
In this drill, the offensive players will win two points if they repeat the same pass in order to attract the defenders first so they can pass it then to the free farther players. The defenders will have to be coordinated to do the pressing choosing the right moment to do it. These tactical momentums are key and they will appear many times in the real game.
Interior play Positional Attack (FCB)
If you fill up the spaces in a rational way when attacking, then, you will be able to be more prepared to start the pressing when you lose the ball. This is a typical Guardiola drill, who likes the pressing after losing the ball and the positional organized attack.
Ball Circulation and changing the pace
You will make your player achieve a higher tactical intelligence level by making him decide whether to progress with the ball or retain the ball looking for a better option to progress.