Bounce and Break

Objective

• -Improve quick bounce passes
• -Develop sharp movement after passing
• -Create fast attacking breaks

Setup

1. 1Mark a 22 x 18 yard area.
2. 2Set two central cones about 6 yards apart.
3. 3Split players into two groups with bibs.
4. 4Place balls with the coach at one end.

How to play

1. 1A player passes to a teammate and gets it back with one touch.
2. 2As soon as the return pass is played, a third player sprints beyond the cones.
3. 3The ball is played into the runner for a finish or a dribble through a gate.
4. 4Reset quickly and repeat from the other side.
5. 5Keep the pattern simple and quick.

Progressions

• +Progressive Tempo: add a fourth maximal round
• +Ball For Every Player: shrink the working area
• +Reaction Start: two cues, one a decoy
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Progressive Tempo: stay at the first two tempos only
• -Ball For Every Player: bigger area, share a ball between two
• -Reaction Start: coach counts players in
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Progressive Tempo — Three rounds: 60% pace, 80% pace, then match pace with full recovery between.
• -Ball For Every Player — Every player works with their own ball so no one waits in a queue.
• -Reaction Start — Every repetition begins from a visual or audio cue rather than a set count.
• -Partner Race — Players work in matched pairs and race each repetition, best of five.
• -Mobility Focus — Each round finishes with a controlled mobility hold for the hips, groin and ankles.
• -Change Of Direction — Add a 90 or 180 degree turn into every repetition before the finish.
• -Team Target — The whole group works to a shared score target and repeats the round if they miss it.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Passing too softly
• -Standing after the bounce pass
• -Running offside or too early