Recover and Roll

Objective

• -Warm up with change of direction and reaction
• -Practice regaining the ball quickly
• -Link movement with passing after recovery

Setup

1. 1Set up a square with cones about 20 x 20 yards.
2. 2Give each player a ball except two defenders in bibs.
3. 3Players dribble freely inside the area to start.
4. 4Keep spare balls beside the coach for quick restarts.

How to play

1. 1Players dribble around the square using both feet.
2. 2On the coach's call, the bibbed defenders try to win a ball.
3. 3If a defender wins it, they play a short pass to the coach or a teammate outside the square.
4. 4The player who lost the ball becomes a defender straight away.
5. 5Keep the pace high but controlled.

Progressions

• +Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
• +Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
• +Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
• -Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
• -Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
• -Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
• -Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
• -Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
• -Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
• -Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
• -Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Drifting into other players
• -Ignoring the signal
• -Tackling too wildly