Rotation 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 36 x 30 yards area.
2. 2Number every station so players know exactly where they travel to next.
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. 4Play starts at station one and the ball works round the numbers in order.
5. 5Every player must complete each role once before the round is scored.

Progressions

• +Reverse the rotation direction on the coach's call
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Hold roles for a full round before rotating
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Rotate only the two hardest roles to give them extra reps
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Walking in possession
• -Individual pressing that wastes energy
• -Staying in a favourite role and avoiding the harder one