Underload Change of Direction Grid

Pitch diagram

Objectives

• -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 18 x 18 yards area.
2. 2Add one extra defender to the working area and mark their start position with a flat cone.
3. 3Balls at the central cone.

Coaching instructions

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. 4The attacking group starts a player short, so every entry pass has to be sharp.
5. 5Defenders score a point for every clean turnover; attackers need three clean end actions to win the round.

Common mistakes

• -Rounding the turn instead of planting
• -Working through fatigue
• -Trying to beat two players instead of releasing early