Overload 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 22 x 18 yards area.
2. 2Split the group so the attacking side always has one spare player, and park the spare bibs on the halfway cone.
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 spare player joins whichever side has the ball, so the attack always works with a plus-one.
5. 5A goal or completed end action counts double if the spare player touched the ball in the build-up.

Common mistakes

• -Reaching for the ball instead of moving feet
• -Stiff surface bouncing the ball away
• -Spare player standing still instead of offering an angle