Club championships in most counties are now under way and preparation for these games at this time must be specific. Volume in training will undo earlier good work as it will induce the old enemy fatigue into players performance.
Preparation should now be quality, low volume, based on a foundation of speed and acceleration. Movement in whatever exercises or game are being used, must be of the highest quality, fast, co-ordinated and efficient. If players are not coming out of sessions buzzing, feeling sharp and fresh, in fact feeling better, then your preparation is over doing it.
All exercises and games at this time should be short, sharp, reactive, explosive, low volume and high intensity. Sessions can start with activities based on pressing the ball, winning the ball back, closing down the opposition. Then games where situations where your team has 100% possession are practised, e.g. games to build or improve kickouts, outfield freekicks, sideline balls and even throw in situations where that 100% possession is not going to be comprimised or ball lost. After that are games rehearsing the various game plans and tactical ploys are run, 10 to 15 mins to bed all into the subconscious.
Sessions can be finished with 'SCORING' practice (Not shooting practice as the word shooting allows players to have excuses if they miss). Scoring practice should always be opposed to rehearse those critical windows of opportunity that arrive in games. A good nights training from which players bounce off the field, not trudge off, looking forward to the game ahead and eager to play for real what they've been rehearsing during the championship period. For this type of session to function successfully coaches need 30 players plus in attendance, simply to run those in house 15 a side championship games !
By John Morrison
