cognitive soccer drills

Reminder: What does cognitive mean?

• Perception: how we receive and interpret sensory information, such as the position of opponents or the ball;
• Attention: the ability to focus on relevant elements in a complex environment; 
• Memory: using past experiences to guide current actions;
• Decision-making: choosing the best option based on the situation;
• Cognitive flexibility: quickly adapting to an unexpected change.
  
  

Cognitive training in soccer

• Interactive lights: placed on the field, they light up to indicate the direction to follow or the action to perform;
• Mobile apps and software: allow working on decision-making or peripheral vision through interactive games;
• Virtual reality: immerses players in simulations close to real match conditions.
  
  

Why should you work on the cognitive aspect in soccer?

• Anticipate opponent movements;
• React quickly to changes in the situation;
• Make optimal decisions under pressure.
  
  

What exercises to implement in training to develop players' cognitive aspect?

• The color and number game: players dribble with a ball, and the coach announces a color or number corresponding to a specific action (change direction, pass to a teammate, shoot, etc.);
• Multiple balls: add a second ball during an exercise to force players to divide their attention between multiple stimuli.
  
  

• Matches with constraints: during a small-sided game, impose rules that require players to think more, such as "no scoring without making a pass in a channel";
• Working with moving targets: use cones or lights that change position to force players to adjust their strategy in real-time.
  
  

• The 4-direction square: players stand in a square and must react to a visual or sound signal to choose the right direction while controlling their ball;
• Masked passes: the coach places obstacles on the field to encourage players to use their peripheral vision and anticipate teammates' movements.
  
  

• Memorized passing sequences: after a series of precise passes, players must reproduce the sequence without error;
• The signal game: during an exercise, the coach introduces signals (gestures or sounds) indicating specific actions to perform.

Cognitive training, the future of soccer?