1. PLAYING IN CONGESTED AREAS

2. 7 v 5 7 v 3 7 v 4

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

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

5. HOW TO PRACTICE ! 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. INDIVIDUAL POSSESSION DEVELOPMENT

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

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

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

9. MIDFIELD PLAY Veron Otamendi Mascherano

10. DIAGONAL RUNNING & “SWITCHING” @ ends & middle

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

12. 3 second safe zone 5V 5 + 2 F Find a receiver inside the 3 second zone. 30 yds

13. 8 v 8 with “safe areas” at position 4 and position 10

14. 8 v 8 - basket ball and all must defend inside the restricted area. Convert to “soccer”.

15. ADVANCED PASSING SKILLS

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

17. 3 v 1 – DF - 3 v 1 10 yds 5 yds

18. 4 v 2 – DF - 4 v 2 20 yds 5 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.

19. 5 v 5 and 2 “neutrals” Score by passing to the target players. Route is protected by defender on the line 15yds

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

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

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