Slow, skill, go!

by Tony Carr in Attacking, Practice plans

 PRINT
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This session teaches players to be “explosive” in 1v1 attacking situations by displaying quick
skill then a change speed to accelerate away from their opponent.
What this session is about
1. Improving dribbling skills and close control.
2. Feinting to wrong-foot and beat a defender.
What to think about
 Keep the ball within playing distance.
 Slow down in the approach to the defender.
 Use body feints and deceptive foot movements – get players to try tricks – e.g. a
stepover – to unbalance the defender.
 Accelerate past.
 Dribble the ball with head up.
Set-up
Warm
Warm up Session Developments Game Situation
Down

10 minutes 10 minutes 15 minutes 15 minutes 10

minutes
What you get your players to do
Set up a 30×20-yard area. Place 12 cones in the area. Six players each with a ball dribble
around the area. When they approach a cone they pretend it is a defender and use skills to get
round it such as a stepover, Matthews Move, etc.
Players dribble and treat randomly-placed cones as defenders to be beaten with skill.

Development
Set up a 20×15-yard area. Two players stand five yards apart in the centre and exchange
passes. On your call, the player in possession attempts to dribble past the other, aiming to hit
the corner at pace once he has got past him. Make sure players switch partners regularly to
play against different styles and speeds.
Players exchange passes then one takes on the other aiming to dribble past and gets as
quickly as he can to a corner.

Game situation
Set up a 25×15-yard area with a manned goal at one end.
Two teams of four line up at the end opposite the goal. The first in the defending line (team
B) runs into position then the first in the attacking line (team A) dribbles towards the
defender, looking to beat him with skill before shooting.
After the shot, A1 becomes a defender and looks to stop B2 scoring and the game continues
until everyone has shot and defended.
Award points for beating a defender and an extra one for scoring.
One team attacks the other 1v1 and looks to dribble past the defender. After shooting, A1
becomes a defender and B2 attacks.

What to call out

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About Tony Carr

Tony Carr is one of the most influential figures in English football. The former West Ham
Academy director has brought through – from the youth team to the first team – players like
Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and
Jermain Defoe.
View all posts by Tony Carr >
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