Tactical warm-up - Positional game

Goal

Equipment

Markers
5 vests
Balls

Preparation

Playing Area: 20x25 meters / 22x27 yds
Players: 10
Duration: 8 minutes
Series: 3 of 2 minutes each with 1 minute of recovery between sets

Summary	Secondary Objectives
Post-activation neuromuscular warm-up exercise in the form of 5 v 5 ball possession	First touch, Feints and tricks, Losing your marker, Pass, Intercepting, Tackling, Mobility, Possession triangles, Ball possession, Once the ball is lost - Attack the ball, Marking up in anticipation, Transitions

Organization

Create a playing field measuring 25x20 meters/ 27x22 yards using the markers. Divide the players into two teams of 5 using the jerseys. The game will be played 5 v 5 (white against red in the picture). The white players are positioned in a 2-3 line-up, while the red players are positioned in a 4-1 line-up. The ball goes to one of the two teams.

Description

A 5v5 ball possession game is played
The team in possession of the ball aims to keep the ball for as long as possible
Players must move according to their starting position in the two initial lineups

Rules

Ball possession is divided into three phases corresponding to three successive repetitions:
- First series: the two teams play for possession with their hands. The ball is recovered by the team that presses the opponents in anticipation of the trajectory and intercepts it, or when it falls to the ground to whoever has possession of the ball
- Second series: The two teams face each other in possession of the ball, playing with their feet. Players pressing to recover the ball cannot tackle their opponents but must only work on intercepting, anticipating, and closing down the opponents' passing lanes. Possession is limited to a certain number of touches (for example, a maximum of two)
- Third series: The two teams face each other in possession of the ball, playing with their feet. The game is played according to the rules of a normal game on a limited field. Players have unlimited touches for their plays. Opponents can be tackled to win the ball

Between sets, allow players 1 minute of recovery time to devote to static or dynamic stretching.

Variations

Add a neutral player who plays with both teams only when they have possession of the ball. This will give the team in possession of the ball numerical superiority, making it easier for them to maintain possession for longer (6 v 5 situation)

Coaching Points

The red players are positioned in a 4-1 line-up, simulating four defenders plus a central midfielder , while the white players are positioned in a 2-3 line-up, simulating two midfielders and three forwards
A very useful warm-up for training various technical and tactical moves performed during the game, which can be used as a progressive warm-up in training or a pre-match warm-up
A useful exercise for the warm-up phase and for increasing cardiovascular and muscular activity
A useful warm-up for the psychological and physical activation of players
Create triangles of possession, which are useful for avoiding pressure from opposing players, forcing them inside the triangles
Pay attention to reactions to negative transitions: once possession of the ball is lost, the player closest to the ball presses the opponent while teammates close in on their respective markers
Pay attention to the overall distances between players
Pay attention to body orientation when receiving the ball
Encourage “pass and go”: after passing the ball to a teammate, the player continues his run, moving into a free space where he can receive the ball again
The player with the ball must have a minimum number of teammates at their disposal who are able to guarantee a pass at any time
The player closest to the ball carrier must choose whether to move closer or deeper, thereby activating the relative movements of their teammates
Encourage players to make countermovements or feints before receiving the ball to evade the opponent's marking
To trigger continuous mobility and maintain appropriate spacing, two players close to each other on the same line, both horizontal and vertical, must move in such a way as to create diagonal passing lanes