Play a 2v2 match-based game - GKs may carry the ball in their hands for a maximum of 2 steps (no tackling). Goals can only be scored by volleys or half volleys (self sets are allowed).
Encourage creativity by allowing GKs to progress with their own rules on pitches - must bounce the ball basketball-style for unlimited steps in possession, play handball rules, etc.
Aim to finish 5 minutes early to tidy up and debrief.
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
Pre-season is your one window to build a real engine. This July, ditch the endless laps and learn how to condition your players with a ball at their feet.
A clear game model turns a squad into a team. Use pre-season to decide who you want to be, then train it every single week so your side is recognisable from the first whistle.
Roughly a fifth of Premier League goals come from set pieces, and the gap between teams who plan their routines and teams who do not has never been wider. Here is how the modern set-piece specialists design attacking corners, free kicks, and throw-ins - and how you can apply their ideas at any level.