Community | Penetrating passing & transition

Runako Mowatt Coach, England

DESCRIPTION

(No credit taken) Players: 8 -10 Area: Approx 20m square (adjust to preference). A target zone is defined by two cones 2 to 3 metres apart on each side of the square to create 4 antipodal zones occupied by 1 player from each team opposing their teammate. Within the square are 2 - 3 players per team in a vs posession game. The game begins with one of the players in a zoned area passing to a teammate within the square. The objective is for the players in possession to transition the ball as quickly as possible to the player in the opposite zone, who must stay within the width of the coned area. A point is scored when the ball transitions from one end to the other and the passer has replaced the player in the zone without their team losing possession. The zone players are not allowed to enter the possession area until they are replaced by the passer and the aim is then to immediately transition to the other side to score another point. If the attacking team loses posession or the ball goes out of bounds, the opposition starts their scoring phase by passing the ball to either teammate in a zone and then transitioning to the teamate in the opposite zone as quickly as possible. Conditions: No passing above head height; Zone players must be replaced by the passer before entering the posession area. However, they can still pass the ball from the zone to teammates to keep possession before a transition is made; Zone players cannot pass directly to another zone player; No camping! Opposition must try to regain possession or forfeits a point; The first to 5 points wins.

COACHING POINTS

Once up to speed, this game is played at a fast tempo with lots of attacking and defensive transitions. Make the area smaller to increase the difficulty in retaining posession. Expand the area to increase the physical load on the players as they press and counterpress continuosly. Key points: Attackers must utilise the entire area to retain possession and show good judgement in when to make the crucial scoring pass into the zone; The zone players should always be communicating with their teammates throughout, providing good info and always being available for the key pass; The player passing into the zoned teammate must sprint into the area to release them. They are not allowed to receive the ball again until they are in the zone. This creates a temporary overload for the defenders; The defenders must press as a unit, particularly when the zone player is about to get possession, in order to make use of the temp overload; However, defensive positioning and communication is key to avoiding being caught too high at one end, which will leave them expoed to easy transitions; Attackers will improve proficiency in blending short and longer, penetrating passes and the need to create good passing angles; Defenders will improve awareness, and deicsion making in when to press and, ultimately, to adapt their strategy if the attackers are successful in beating the press. 5 minutes or 5 goals, then break and 1 more set.

This practice has no coaching points

PROGRESSION

This practice has no progressions

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