Transition Change of Direction Grid

Objective

• -Decelerate and re-accelerate safely
• -Turn off both feet with control
• -Build agility that transfers to the game

Setup

1. 1Five cones in a cross pattern in a 26 x 26 yards area.
2. 2Mark a second target area at the opposite end so the practice can flip direction instantly.
3. 3Balls at the central cone.

How to play

1. 1Player sprints to a called cone, plants and returns to the middle.
2. 2Every third rep finishes with a pass off the central ball.
3. 3Rest twice as long as each work rep.
4. 4Coach serves a loose ball into the middle and both teams react to win it.
5. 5On every turnover the winning team has six seconds to attack the opposite target.

Progressions

• +Cut the counter window to four seconds
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Freeze the play for two seconds after each turnover to reset shape
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Coach can serve a second ball to force an instant re-transition
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Rounding the turn instead of planting
• -Working through fatigue
• -Stopping to appeal instead of reacting to the turnover