Finishing Possession Conditioning

Objective

• -Build endurance inside a football practice
• -Keep decision quality high under fatigue
• -Avoid running without a ball

Setup

1. 1A large possession area with two teams and neutral players in a 40 x 34 yards area.
2. 2Set a goal at the end of the area with a keeper or a target zone if no keeper is available.
3. 3Balls with the coach, two sets of bibs.

How to play

1. 1Play possession in four-minute blocks with 90 seconds rest.
2. 2The team out of possession must press for the full block.
3. 3Rotate the neutrals so nobody rests inside the block.
4. 4Every sequence starts with a pass out and ends with a strike on goal.
5. 5Goals score one, first-time finishes score two, and rebounds must be followed in.

Progressions

• +Cap the sequence at one touch before the strike
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Remove the keeper and finish into a wide target goal
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Coach can throw in a second ball for an instant rebound finish
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Walking in possession
• -Individual pressing that wastes energy
• -Rushing the shot and leaning back over the ball