PLAYING IN CONGESTED AREAS

1. PLAYING IN CONGESTED AREAS

2. 7 v 5 7 v 3 7 v 4 PLAYING IN CONGESTED AREAS

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

4. Congested areapassing 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 ! 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. Complementary receiving skills.

5. HOW TO PRACTICE ! INDIVIDUAL POSSESSION DEVELOPMENT 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.

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

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

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

9. Otamendi Veron Mascherano MIDFIELD PLAY

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 • V 5 + 2 F • Find a receiver • inside the 3 second zone. 30 yds 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. FREE – FLOW PASSING MINIMAL TOUCH PLAY AT SPEED – wall passes off designated player. Varied distances and surfaces - area – 30 yds x 20 yds.

17. 3 v 1 – DF - 3 v 1 10 yds 10 yds 10 yds 5 yds 10 yds

18. 4 v 2 – DF - 4 v 2 20 yds 20 yds 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. 15yds 5 v 5 and 2 “neutrals” Score by passing to the target players. Route is protected by defender on the line

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

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

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