IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
LUTONTOWN
Dan Walder
Overview:
This session is about visual awareness, rehearsing players in the idea of looking around and interpreting detail - in essence processing things in their peripheral vision.
It’s important to practise this because every decision in football is based on or influenced by what players see.
Frequently in the Premier League we see players making subtle but intentional visual checks before receiving a pass, so that when the ball does come to them they can switch or develop play immediately, and to devastating effect.
We work this practice for 30 minutes, ending with a 15-minute full-size game.
Pole to pole vision
POLETOPOLEVISION
SET-UP AREA
40x30 yards EQUIPMENT
Balls, bibs or flags, poles NUMBER OF PLAYERS
12
What do I get the players to do?
A pole is placed in each corner of the area, along with a goal at each end. Poles of one colour are placed at diagonal opposites. On top of these are hung four different coloured flags or bibs.
Each team adopts a 2-3-1 shape (goalkeepers are optional though not used in the example shown). When the reds pass the ball, they must call out the colours of the two flags on the two red poles; and the yellow team likewise the flag colours on the yellow poles. As the game progresses, assistants located around the pitch will swap the flags, so players must stay alert.
The game is fully opposed and each team must make four passes without miscalling a colour before they can score. If a wrong colour is called, possession passes to the other team.
“This is a session based almost entirely on visual awareness.”
What are the key things to look for technically/ tactically?
This is a session based almost entirely on visual awareness. Players should adjust their feet and body in
52 Elite Soccer: The Collectors’ Series Volume 1 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
A tackle is made and yellow players call out their own respective colours
www.elitesoccercoaching.net 1 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
The passing red player calls out the flag colours on the red poles
2 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
During the session, flagcolours are changed randomly. Switching flags means players must stay alert
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