Combinations with a one-touch play circuit and supporting player
Ideal as a warm-up, this exercise is a great way to get started. Remember to emphasize the importance of verbal communication, as well as visual communication (off-the-ball runs and movements). This drill was used during a session at Liverpool by Jurgen Klopp.
In an area of approximately 25x35m, set up 10 cones to form 2 work areas as shown in the diagram. Then place 12 players on each of the cones, with 2 players at the starting cone with a ball.
The 2 groups will play in parallel and each passing sequence will proceed as follows:
The 1st player A starts with dribbling for a few meters and then makes a short pass to the 2nd player B. A then takes B's place.
B plays a layoff with one touch to the 3rd player C.
C also plays in one-touch to the 4th player D, who will lay it off into B's run.
B then plays to the 5th player E, who will control, dribble for 8-10m, and then make a short pass to the 1st player of the next circuit.
The passing sequence continues in the same way on the other side.
Progression: the exercise is conducted in exactly the same way, but the last player will make a long pass instead of finishing with dribbling and a short pass.
The Senior category includes all players over the age of 20. It encompasses players with a wide range of personal and athletic differences. As a senior coach, you must take this into account when preparing your senior training sessions. The Senior category marks a turning point in each player's soccer career. At this level, soccer is played with the utmost seriousness, commitment, and ambition, whether at the District level, regional competitions, or even at professional levels.
For Senior players, soccer is often a passion that requires great discipline, optimal physical condition, and an advanced tactical understanding of the game. Each training session and match thus becomes crucial and far more important than in previous categories.
Here are the objectives and some tips on the best ways to train a senior team.
The objectives of the Senior category
For the Senior category, the objectives go well beyond the simple enjoyment of the game and the passion for soccer. Physical, tactical, and technical conditions are a major focus in the development of each player, as well as other crucial elements of the sport such as positioning, strategies for set pieces, formation, the type of play executed, management of individualities, locker room relationships, etc.
Coaching a Senior team involves much more responsibility as a coach and requires constant focus and structure to optimize the development of each player as well as sporting results and to reach high-level competitions.
Some tips for coaching a Senior team
Here are some essential tips for successfully coaching a Senior team:
Personalization of training: Take into account the strengths, weaknesses, and individual goals of the players to customize each training session. This can include specific physical conditioning programs, technical workshops, or targeted tactical sessions.
Balancing intensity and variety: Sessions should be both intense and varied to maintain player engagement and simulate upcoming or past match conditions, especially after defeats!
Focus on tactics: Senior players must understand and execute complex game plans set by the coach. Use video analysis, classroom sessions, and on-field exercises to teach and refine the game strategies you desire.
Management of physical condition and recovery: Prevent injuries and ensure the athletic longevity of players by emphasizing good physical preparation, learning recovery practices after matches and training, muscle care, nutrition…
Strengthening team cohesion and mental health: Organize team-building activities and provide psychological support to each player to strengthen team spirit and help players manage pressure, especially if you reach high-level competitions.
What training exercises for a Senior team?
To succeed in your senior training session, we advise you to focus on 2 aspects: the phases of play and the pace of your sessions. There are many senior exercises available that highlight these 2 aspects, so it will be up to you to carefully select your specific senior exercises to add more dynamism to your training session.
Here is a series of exercises for a Senior team, inspired by modern soccer training practices:
Advanced technical workshops: Organize sessions focused on perfecting individual technical skills, such as ball control under pressure, long-distance passing accuracy, shooting on goal, or other set pieces...
Interactive tactical training: Set up games and simulations that encourage players to apply specific strategies and tactics, promoting quick thinking and decision-making under pressure.
Targeted physical sessions: Include specific training to improve endurance, speed, agility, and strength of each player, according to the time of year and upcoming sporting events.
Training matches and analysis: Regularly organize training matches to evaluate your Senior team's performance in real game conditions. Use post-match video analysis to discuss improvements and adjust strategies.
Dynamic warm-ups: One-touch play combinations with support, inspired by a Liverpool training session. The objective? Improve communication and quick play.
Possession and transition play: Possession exercise with attacking and defensive transitions, known and used notably by Pep Guardiola. This exercise emphasizes developing the ability to quickly switch phases of play (attack to defense…)
Physical conditioning: Aerobic endurance circuit, adapted for physical preparation at the start of the season.
