Millwall Contact & React

Instructions/Setup:

In this warm-up drill, players work on developing awareness of contact and reacting quickly to different physical situations. The drill starts with players engaging in shoulder-to-shoulder contact, where they push lightly against each other. On the coach’s whistle, players must quickly react and sprint away from the contact position.

The coach can also vary the starting procedure by switching from shoulder-to-shoulder to back-to-back contact, requiring players to adjust their reactions accordingly. This variation helps build agility, awareness, and quick reactions, while also enhancing the players’ ability to handle contact situations.

Coaching Notes:

• Reacting to Contact: Encourage players to maintain balance and posture while engaging in shoulder-to-shoulder or back-to-back contact. Reacting quickly and maintaining control is key to the drill’s success.

• Quick Sprinting: Upon the coach’s whistle, players should focus on accelerating quickly and maintaining a high sprinting posture. The faster the reaction, the more effective the drill.

• Balance and Posture: Players should use their body to absorb contact and stay on their feet. Emphasize keeping a low center of gravity to ensure stability during the contact phase.

• Variety in Starting Positions: By changing the starting positions (shoulder-to-shoulder or back-to-back), players develop adaptability and improve their reactions to different physical challenges on the pitch.

Progression 1: Add a Directional Change:

After the coach’s whistle, add a directional change requirement (e.g., sprint in one direction, then quickly change direction). This challenges players to react to different types of movement.

Focus: Helps players work on their agility and adaptability, enhancing their ability to react and change direction rapidly.

Progression 2: Increase the Distance:

Increase the distance the players must sprint after the whistle. This requires players to accelerate and maintain top speed over a longer distance, further improving their sprinting capabilities.

Focus: Promotes endurance and the ability to sustain high-speed efforts after contact.