Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of coaching is the emphasis on “pace” in training sessions.
Young players may be excused for going through training exercises at a leisurely pace, but as they grow older it is very important that their work rate in training increase. Hopefully, this will transfer to the games.
You often hear players, who have been exposed to a higher level of play, say that the big difference was the increased speed of play. Those who can adjust to the greater pace of the game will improve and be able to compete at the higher level. Those who do not, will be left behind.
It all starts in training. Start by selling your players on the idea that they can make a big jump in improvement if they do one single thing….play quicker.
Easier said than done. Every player has his/her “comfort zone” which is not overly stressful. Just getting them to work at the upper level of the comfort zone is not good enough.
In a game, the pace of the game can be set by your opponent and your team has to be able to match their effort…or even exceed it! After all, you want your team to be able to set the pace, not react to it.
So how do you do that? First, you have to convince your players that increasing the work rate in training is good for team results. Thus, improving pace and work rate is a mental thing, as well as physical.
Train them in short-sided grids, with neutral players, that allows for lots of touches and requires movement off the ball. Allow them to dribble to get away from pressure, and then quickly find an open player.
Obviously in order for you to accomplish your goal from an offensive, ball-possession, standpoint, you have to get a high rate of defensive pressure on the ball and tight marking of opponents off the ball.
Cut down the duration of effort to achieve maximum pace. Work full out for one minute, rest for 30 seconds. You can adjust to increase the work time to 90 seconds. If pace is improving, increase duration.
You are now training at maximum effort in short segments, but the game is not just 90 second training blocks. You have to sustain the pace over the course of the game.
You can even encourage them to train a bit “out of control” to achieve the level of effort you are seeking.
Young players may be excused for going through training exercises at a leisurely pace, but as they grow older it is very important that their work rate in training increase. Hopefully, this will transfer to the games.
You often hear players, who have been exposed to a higher level of play, say that the big difference was the increased speed of play. Those who can adjust to the greater pace of the game will improve and be able to compete at the higher level. Those who do not, will be left behind.
It all starts in training. Start by selling your players on the idea that they can make a big jump in improvement if they do one single thing….play quicker.
Easier said than done. Every player has his/her “comfort zone” which is not overly stressful. Just getting them to work at the upper level of the comfort zone is not good enough.
In a game, the pace of the game can be set by your opponent and your team has to be able to match their effort…or even exceed it! After all, you want your team to be able to set the pace, not react to it.
So how do you do that? First, you have to convince your players that increasing the work rate in training is good for team results. Thus, improving pace and work rate is a mental thing, as well as physical.
Train them in short-sided grids, with neutral players, that allows for lots of touches and requires movement off the ball. Allow them to dribble to get away from pressure, and then quickly find an open player.
Obviously in order for you to accomplish your goal from an offensive, ball-possession, standpoint, you have to get a high rate of defensive pressure on the ball and tight marking of opponents off the ball.
Cut down the duration of effort to achieve maximum pace. Work full out for one minute, rest for 30 seconds. You can adjust to increase the work time to 90 seconds. If pace is improving, increase duration.
You are now training at maximum effort in short segments, but the game is not just 90 second training blocks. You have to sustain the pace over the course of the game.
You can even encourage them to train a bit “out of control” to achieve the level of effort you are seeking.