To accelerate or to delay the game, to dominate the change of pace of the game.
To control the game pace we need the players to dominate the offensive tactical principals of delaying, change of pace etc.
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.
Dropping Back and Counterattack Vs Offensive Vigilance
The unhooked players are very important players in the offensive and defensive transitions, but, they are even more important in the vigilances previous to those transitions. We should practice how to use them to attack and how to defend them.
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.
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.
Rondo with an intense pressure (Liverpool FC)
Do you know Liverpool’s Henderson Rondo? It is an interesting conditioning in order to reach a maximum pressure from the first pass.
Tricolor
During the offensive transition, your team will will need to begin looking for width, permanent support from the players, a good communication etc. This offensive and defensive transition tactical drill will make your team improve this exact momentum of the game.
Offensive Vigilance and Free Man
A dynamic and safe way for attacking is either to find the third man or to be aware of where the defenders are (offensive vigilances). At the same time, you will have to find the appropriate distances so your team not always pass the ball to the closest players but also finds the mid-distance players, with the objective of braking the lines. In this drill, the defensive players practice the moment of activating the pressing in a coordinated way.
Hexagonal rondo to work the switch of play, the players profiles and deciding before receiving the ball.
One of the constant aspects of the game is to play easy (the coach asks so many times for this) and be able to differentiate when to play with the farthest or with the intermediate players in order to overcome rivals (both attacking and defending).
Extreme Transitions 3v3
To practice transitions in superiority will make your players look for safe finishing situations thoughtlessly and will make them think about the defensive transition. This is a drill that you as a coach will like a lot, a very useful drill.