Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Triangles & Bumpers: 4 Progressions

Wing Bumpers (10 mins)

-- 2 v 2 with bumpers

-- play 3 minutes, then rotate bumpers in

-- no gk's, no offsides

-- restarts happen with bumpers who inbound ball with kick from goal line

(then move quickly back to touchline)

PROGRESSION #1 --

Coaching Points

1) Explain upfront what you are looking for...

a) on offense it is always 3v2, because the bumpers stay unmarked on one side

b) emphasize the importance of scanning before first touch: "if I get it, what's next?" is the mantra

c) speed of thought is speed of play -- coach is looking for not just technical skill, or taking on a defender, but tactical decision-making that uses a numbers-up scenario.

d) defense is outnumbered, therefore quick, controlled pressure forces the first attacker to become a "ball-watcher" and closes down tactical options

e) "play behind the fence" - make crescent runs behind the defender, splitting his attention between the first attacker and his mark who just went upfield and behind him.

f) "play to the space" when "playing behind the fence" -- second attacker needs to give visual cue where he wants the ball played

g) bumpers must work! bumpers must be the outside point of the triangle, going flat for a safe pass, or finding a seam for a through ball.

h) bumpers (unmarked) must focus their mental energy, one pass ahead. If you can deliver the ball with one-touch, don't take two.

i) deepest attacker must have the "forward thought": (receive the drop then shoot).

j) defense: use your bumper's touchline as an advantage to your pressure. Angle of approach for defense is critically important.

Coach's input:

"Can we get the ball behind the defenders?"

"3v2, someone is on! Who is on?"

"Are we moving after we pass the ball?"

"In your head repeat - 'If I get it, what's next?'"

"Defense, close quickly! Make the attacker a ball-watcher"

"Defense, can we force them away from their bumper?"

Bumper Exchange (10 mins)

PROGRESSION #3

Bumper Exchange

New Condition: When a bumper is played, he enters the grid and the passing player becomes bumper.

New Condition: No restriction on how goals may be scored.

Coaching Points:

-- now we are truly "rotating the diamond/triangle"

-- off-the-ball movements have added a new dimension, with bumpers becoming a penetrating threat not because of passing, but active presence and dribbling.

-- mental training: our mind shuts off during natural-stoppages or when we think we are safe from active play. In this small-sided game, no participant is ever out of active play

-- Watch your players. See if they lose focus when they get to "rest" as a bumper.

-- The second you notice the "rest" bumper mentality, bring it to your players' attentions.

-- We don't stop working. We don't stop thinking.

-- Soccer physics -- Space = time. Time = quality. Back to fundamentals. Has our first touch diminished with the pace of the game, with our fatigue, with our lack of forward thinking. Bumpers are still "unmarked" and therefore should still have the ability to have the quality first and second touches necessary to keep together a chain of successful passes. Our grid players must create the first element -- space -- with their first touch.

-- Back to fundamentals: first touch = surface + direction + distance.

-- Bumpers have the L-shaped run outside the grid. No restrictions on where they can be or for how long.