Feb, 2008

ACTIVITIES FOR CORE COMPETENCY

Here are a number of activities from the GFC Academy curriculum that will help to develop players with a strong technical and tactical base. The activities combine a competitive atmosphere while encouraging development in various skill areas such as dribbling/moves, passing, etc. At the same time, these activities provide a good classroom for developing insight into individual and small numbers tactics.

3v3 Attack 2 Goals/Defend 2 Goals
In a field 32 yards long and 24 yards wide or (a smaller-sized basketball court), teams of three each attack and defend two goals. Also, a goal is only valid when played by an attacker within the 6 yard scoring zone.

3v3 Attack 4 Goals/Defend 4 Goals
This is a variation of 3v3 Attack 2 Goals/Defend 2 Goals with attackers being able to score in any of the 4 goals, and defenders having to defend all 4 goals. The attackers always attack the goal they consider to be least defended. Scoring variations include scoring by shooting inside the shooting zone, dribbling through the goal lines. Increase the difficulty by giving a valid goal only when no defender is within 5 yards of the goal.

1v1 Attack 2 Goals/Defend 2 Goals
First play tag where one attacker tries to evade the defender’s tag before scoring through one of two goals on the opposite side of the field. Then play with the attacker trying to dribble the ball through either goal. If the defender steals the ball, the defender can score in the other two goals opposite from the defender’s starting point. On each side, make one goal worth more points than the other to encourage more deliberate attacking and defending.

1v1 Attack 3 Goals/Defend 3 Goals
Instead of two goals to score in, now the attacker can score in two on either side, and a third goal behind the defender. The goal behind the defender is worth more points, and encourages the attacker to balance between taking low risk/high risk choices.

2v1 With Counterattack
Two attackers try to dribble across either goal line 8 yards wide defended by a defender. If the defender, who must stay in the designated half, steals the ball, the defender may pass the ball across to a teammate who can score by dribbling across the opposite goal line. After a set amount of time or number of chances (like 2 minutes or 10 chances), defenders switch roles with the attackers.

2v1 Possession
Two attackers try to keep the ball for as long as possible from a defender. The defender has a teammate who replaces the defender after every lost possession by the attackers. Also, the defender who is resting keeps time count, awarding a point every time the attackers can keep the ball for the set amount of time (like 10 seconds). After a set amount of time or number of chances, the attackers switch roles with the defenders. For variation, award points for challenges like first time passes or passes in the air.

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