First, read Awareness Training Emphasizing Quick Decision Making (The Skill Factor) And Peripheral Vision Development

A Four Player Drill With No Defenders Developing The Skill Factor

Four teammates: Players (A) and (B) play the ball by giving direct passes (one touch play), (A) has to play the ball back to (C) or (D).

If a player turns their back to the ball this signifies to the receiver he is not available for a pass. So; provided they are not turned around with their backs to him the players are available to pass to. Liken turning the back to not making eye contact so that player is not ready to receive the pass in a game situation or is not open.

So, initially two choices of a pass if neither turn their backs to the ball.

Example: (A) to (B), back to (A), neither player turns their back to (A); so (A) has the two choices of passing to (C) or (D) then getting the ball back AND PASSING TO (B) TO CONTINUE THE SEQUENCE..

Another way to do this is to have players put their hands up instead of turning with their back to everyone this is actually easier to do and more effective.

Here (C) has decided to turn their back so (A) has to pass to (D). If (C) and (D) both turn their backs then (A) passes back to (B) and the sequence starts again. Try to get a rhythm going with continuous one touch passes where possible (allow two touches if this is too fast for the players initially and they cannot identify the options quickly enough).

Example: (A) passes to (B) and (B) passes back to (A), the reactions of (C) and (D) must happen based on the return pass to (A). As the ball is travelling, (A) is watching the ball but also at the same time assessing the next option (so looking away from the ball), which will be determined by the actions of (C) and (D).

Thus peripheral development develops with the receiving player practicing awareness in assessing options before they receive the pass and thus decision making before receiving the ball and not after.

In a game situation if they did not make these early assessments it may be too late a decision; based on the pace of the game today, and consequently they lose possession. Obviously the quicker the decision the fewer touches used, the less chance of being closed down by a defender in a game, hence one touch passing develops through faster decision making and faster decision making develops through one touch.. As previously mentioned all the play is in front of the receiver so it is an easy introduction to skill development (decision making / where and when) through awareness training.

Here both players turn their back so (A) has to pass back to (B) with a quick one touch decision making pass.

Observation and passing to the side so the receiving player does not have the support players directly in front of him now but to the side so he has to look sideways making the task slightly more difficult.

Player (D) turns his back and the receiver (A) passes the ball to (C).

Observation and passing behind (like a midfield player receiving and turning and passing) so now the player has to look BEHIND him to know which pass to make. It is best to do this two touch (one to control and turn and one to pass) though very good players may be able to play one touch.

Bring A Defender In

The defender can only pressure; not win the ball, so the player receiving knows he can relax on the ball during the decision making process.

These factors are vitally important to develop when a player is young:

Calmness on the ball so the player does not panic when pressure is exerted on him.
Developing the ability to look at the player closing and where they are closing from and also assessing where the next pass has to go at the same time.
These exercises also specifically train peripheral vision.
They stimulate quick reflexes in the player so their decision making speeds up.

By there being pressure but no taking of the ball or tackling, the player develops a calmness that otherwise may not develop.

So when we advance and pressure is applied in the form of tackling and the opponent being able to take the ball off him, the training with pressure (but without losing the ball) hopefully will have taught the player to play with calmness under pressure and therefore they will not panic.

Panicking under pressure means the player loses focus on their next option focusing only on the player pressing them.

This training is designed to teach them to do two things at once, not just one, which many players suffer from and which limits their ability and performance.

Developing Peripheral Vision From In Front Of Play

The same exercise but in this case there is an opponent who decides the player he is going to mark each time, according to the situation. Players (C) and (D) play in the same way as previously.

Since the marking player controls a different opponent each time, the direction of the action constantly changes.

Above, the defender closes down (D) so (A) passes to (C). (C) passes back to (A) who takes two touches to allow the defender to be ready (but 2 quick touches now, one to control and then the 2nd as an immediate pass), and then (A) passes to (B) and we start again.

Showing the defender recovering back to the start position.

The defender closes down (A) so (B) passes to (C).

A Four Against Two Situation

Four teammates and two opponents. (A) and (B) are facing each other, whilst (C) and (D) position on the two sides.

The start positions of the two opponents (E) and (F) are 3 yards behind (C) and (D) (according to their marking positions) and force player (A) to always pass the ball to an unmarked team mate. (E) and (F) can also mark player (B).

Only one pass is on now out of 3 possibilities before two players are marked. The open pass continually changes as the defenders move to mark different players each time. So the receiving players first touch, accuracy of pass (which is the actual first touch as a pass not as a controlling touch; unless you allow two touches), peripheral vision and decision making (skill) are all tested under pressure through time but without the immediate pressure from an opponent which results in the receiving player who’s ability we are testing is able to play relaxed knowing the ball cannot be taken from him. The pressure is exerted on his team mates which will affect the decisions he then is forced to make.

The edition of cones showing the start positions of each player may help them understand the exercise more easily. You can allow the passing player to communicate initially but then do not allow it so the receiving player has to use his own awareness without help. (C ) and (D) are marked so the pass must go to (B). (B) passes back and the sequence begins again. Players can stand still and mark the same player also in the next sequence which in itself tests the awareness and peripheral vision of the passer (A).

Here both (B) and (C) are marked so the pass is to (D). Then pass back to (A), who passes to (B) to get it back one touch and the sequence starts again.

As the ball is travelling back to (A) to pass to (B) (who will then pass to (A) again to test him in his decision making) the two defenders need to be assessing their options of whom to mark next and be moving to do so (unless they decide to stay put this time).

Peripheral Vision Development From Behind The Play

Develop: Have (A) as the passing player and (B) as the receiving player so as previously players are making defensive movements from behind and the receiving player (B) has to act accordingly.

Three Team Mates Against One Opponent

Otherwise if the opponent follows him, players (A) and (B) go on playing the ball with ground passes, lobs or headed passes.

You are experimenting with the defender facing the ball; so the movement is on his blindside or he is facing the player so he does not see where the ball is going. Both give the receiving player an extra moment on the defender.

Four Against Two

Developing Peripheral Vision For Movement From Behind

Now we are testing player (A)’s peripheral vision. It was easier for the player before as everything happening was IN FRONT OF HIM, now for (A) it is happening with pressure from behind.

At the same time his supporting players in front of him make decisions to force him to think quickly.

So, a lot of stimuli to test him and he has to develop a VERY PROACTIVE MIND to have success.

Players (A) and (B) pass the ball back and forth. If (A) is challenged by a defender he has to pass the ball to the opposite side supporting player. So, if he is closed down by defender (1) he passes to supporting player (C), if closed by defender (2) he passes to supporting player (D).

Players have now to look BEHIND them over their shoulders to see where defenders are as the ball travels, thus identifying the pressing player BEFORE RECEIVING THE BALL.

If (A) is marked by the two opponents at the same time he has to give a pass to his unmarked team mates, provided that he is not turned around with his back to him (WHICH SIGNIFIES HE IS NOT OPEN TO RECEIVE A PASS).

Players (A) and (B) pass the ball back and forth. (A) Is challenged by defender (1) and so he has to pass the ball to the opposite side; (in this case to player C).

A Player Turns Their Back To Play Signifying They Are Not Open For A Pass

Here player (C) turns his back on the player receiving the pass so (A) has to pass to (D) instead of (C), even though the pressure has come from that side.

So now the receiver has to process two quick decisions in his mind to be successful.

So now we have stimuli from behind play and from in front of play in terms of the decision making of opponents and teammates alike.

Both (C) and (D) turn their backs so player (A) has to pass back to (B). This would happen even if the defenders (1) and (2) did not close him down.

This means in a game situation only player (B) is open to receive a pass from (A).

Four Team Mates Against Three Opponents

Bring in an extra defender. Players (A) and (B) play the ball and are always in the center of the action. This exercise is very similar to the previous one but includes some variations. As previously, if (A) is challenged by an opponent, he has to play the ball to the opposite side; but only if his team mate is unmarked and is looking at him, otherwise, he plays the ball back to (B). If (A) is marked by the two opponents at the same time he has to give a pass to his unmarked team mate, provided that he is not turned around with his back to him. Player (B)’s defender is also free to mark whoever he wants. Try to have the players do one touch training but if they struggle at first; allow two touches (particularly with this exercise) but the second touch has to be immediately after the first touch with no dwelling on the ball otherwise it defeats the objective of the practice which is to develop quick thinking and create great peripheral vision.

Players have now to look BEHIND them to see where defenders are as the ball travels, thus identifying the pressing player BEFORE RECEIVING THE BALL. (B) always starts the sequence passing to (A) then receiving a one touch pass back.

As the ball is travelling the players react and (B) has to make a decision as to where to pass next; based on these reactions. Once this has been performed successfully and the choice of pass is correct the receiving player immediately passes the ball back one touch to (B) who passes to (A) again (one touch) and the sequence begins again. Once (B) has made the successful pass the defenders recover back to their start positions also ready for the next decisions to be made.

After (B) initially passes to (A) here; we show (A) passes to (B) on the return pass and defender (2) closes (A) down; so (A) has to pass in the opposite direction to (C).

(C) then passes one touch back to (A) who passes to (B) and the sequence begins again, defender (2) immediately dropping back.

As previously suggested it may be easier for the set up if cones are used for the start positions of all the players.

Both defenders (2) and (3) close (B) down and (C) is closed down by defender (1) so he passes to (D).

(B) in this case is the last player to be passed to, and (A)’s priority is to identify (D) as the most open player

Two defenders (2) and (3) close the player (B) receiving the pass, defender (1) has moved to close down (C) and player (D) has turned his back so he passes back to (B).

A Non Competitive Awareness Numbers Game: Passing In Sequence

1. 30x30 yard set up

2. Two Teams: 6 Players and only 1 ball to begin. Players must pass in sequence i.e. 1 passes to 2; 2 passes to 3; 3 to 4 and so on to 6 who passes to 1 and we begin again. You can have players static to begin then have them passing and moving.

3. Player receives from the same person and passes to the same person each time. This develops great awareness of time, space and player positions. There is continuous work on and off the ball.

4. Awareness of: where the player you receive from is and where the player you pass to is. Because of this players begin to anticipate the pass to them and where it is coming from. Also they must look to where it is going to (where is the player they are passing to?).

5. We are trying to create a situation where players are looking two moves ahead not just one. For instance as (1) is about to pass to (2), (3) should be looking to support (2) for the next pass already, looking two moves ahead before the ball leaves (1). At the same time (3) should be looking to see where (4) is.

6. Peripheral Vision Development results from this.

Progression: Use two balls then three balls at the same time. Start with a ball at (1) and (4) then at (1), (4) and (6). To keep the sequence going players must move the balls quickly with few touches hence their peripheral vision development improves dramatically. As soon as they have passed one ball off the next one is arriving so quick thinking is needed to make the correct decisions.