Week 67 Mastery Warm Up

Instructions/Setup:

In this warm-up drill, one player is located centrally within a grid, surrounded by 3 outside players. Directly ahead of the outside players are 3 gates, each a different color. The central player is positioned inside the gates, requiring quick adjustment based on the passes and commands from the outside players.

The outside players will pass the ball into the central player and shout a color corresponding to one of the gates. The central player must quickly adjust, dribble or pass the ball out of the grid through the colored gate called out. The drill is continuous, with the central player working for 45 seconds before switching to another player.

Coaching Notes:

• Quick Decision-Making: The central player needs to be alert and ready to react quickly. They should focus on quickly processing the color shout and adjusting their movement or pass to execute the correct response.

• Body Positioning: As the central player, always try to be in a balanced and open body position, which will allow for quicker adjustments when a specific gate color is called out. This encourages a fluid transition in movement.

• Pass Accuracy and Timing: When passing out of the gates, the central player must ensure the pass is accurate and timed well. This is key to maintaining the flow of the drill and keeping the outside players ready for their next actions.

• Communication from Outside Players: The outside players should shout the gate color clearly and use visual cues when necessary. It’s important that their calls are quick and direct, which will help the central player anticipate and act efficiently.

Progression 1: Increase the Complexity of Gate Movements:

Introduce additional variations such as requiring the central player to dribble through the gate, or to make a quick change of direction before passing the ball out. This progression would add complexity to the central player’s movements.

Focus: Develops agility, reaction time, and the ability to make decisions quickly under pressure while also improving technical passing accuracy.