Counter Aerial Control Zone

Pitch diagram

Objectives

• -Control balls arriving out of the air
• -Choose the right surface for the height of the ball
• -Play out cleanly after the control

Setup

1. 1A control zone with a serving line ten yards away in a 24 x 20 yards area.
2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
3. 3A supply of balls at the serving line.

Coaching instructions

1. 1Server throws or lofts the ball into the control zone.
2. 2The receiver controls with thigh, chest or laces and sets the ball down.
3. 3The receiver then plays a firm pass back to the next server.
4. 4The team in possession starts each rep in their own half and must build forwards.
5. 5Turnovers earn a direct counter at the mini goals worth two points.

Common mistakes

• -Reaching for the ball instead of moving feet
• -Stiff surface bouncing the ball away
• -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on