Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Off the Ball Movement / Mental Stamina

4 Square Drill (25 mins)

Movement Off the Ball / Mental Stamina

- Area divided into 4. Two teams are shown for simplicity but drill can work with up to 4.

- Teams must have at least one player in each zone.

- Ball player passes to one teammate, and switches with another to start.

Coaching Point - No static players, drill should encourage continuous movement. Challenge players off the ball to make sure that there is always an unobstructed path between them and the ball. This challenge ensures players uninvolved in the pass remain mentally involved in the play.

Progression

- Players can now only pass to the player with whom the previous passer is switching

- This adds an extra layer and challenges the players further to stay mentally involved

Coaching point here is the importance of communication, and perception of the field when receiving. The receiver must recognise who the passer is switching with so they know where to go with their pass and the switcher knows they are the next recipient, so must communicate that to the current receiver.

Progress to same pattern with 2 touch limit to increase the importance of perception and communication, and reinforce the challenge from the the first coaching point as it is usually forgotten by some at this stage.