In partnership with

barnsley
passing precision: Main session
Mark
Robins SETUP
Passing Area

Precision Three 15x15 yard

boxes laid end to end
Overview: Equipment
This session Cones, a ball
combines short Number of Players
and long passing. 18 (2 x groups of 6

1
It’s great for helping as attackers in end
players use the boxes, 1 x group of
ball in small and 6 as midfielders in
middle box)
compacted areas, The whites must make five
teaching them when passes. The defensively-
What do I get the minded yellows come
to hold possession, players to do? forward to close down
and when to switch angles of a through-pass to
The ball is played to the reds.
play. Key

either of the attacking Ball

movement

This is a scenario that groups in the end

Player
movement
Dribble
occurs regularly in boxes – here, it’s the
matches. We’ll draw white team. They must
a team into an area by make five passes
retaining possession amongst themselves
and making use of before threading
short, accurate balls the ball through the
in to feet. We’ll then midfielders to the red
switch play with a team in the other end
longer pass, breaking box. All passes must
out and opening up be made along the
space upfield. ground.

2
The midfield team,
in yellow, line-up
centrally in their box
The whites must work
– we may mark some space to make the through-
lines to ensure they ball possible.
remain in the middle
section of that box,
but will allow two Key
Ball
movement
men forward to press. Player
movement

The group’s aim is to Dribble

intercept any through-

pass to the red team.
Whetherapassis
successfullymade
orintercepted,play
restartswiththered
team.Theyellowsthis
timeneedtopreventthe
“This session redteamthreadinga
passbacktothewhites,
is great for andsoon.
helping
players use
the ball in
Rotate teams so that
each one takes on the
role of the intercepting
3 The reds must repeat the
task. Can those in yellow
midfielders, ensuring close down the angles and
small and as well that different intercept the ball?
players each time
compacted are sent to press
Key
Ball
movement

areas.”
Player
the attackers. movement
Dribble

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 In partnership with

passing precision: progRession

What are the key

things to look
for technically/
Mark Robins tactically?
barnsley We are looking for
Mark Robins was a good first touch,
appointed Barnsley quality of pass, and the
manager on intelligence to release

1
September 9, 2009. the ball at the right
The former Manchester moment. Decision-
United and Norwich making is a key part of
City star had enjoyed this session. Pressing players in
an impressive playing yellow can now enter the
career, winning the FA
How do I progress opposition's zone.
Cup, Charity Shield,
the session?
UEFA Cup Winners’ Progress by allowing Key
Cup, UEFA Super Cup the two pressing Ball
movement
Player
and Football League midfielders to move movement
Dribble
Cup. outside of their box into
Having turned out for a the attackers’ area.
number of other clubs, However, moving
including Manchester forward this far means
City, Leicester City, they’ll need to react
Walsall and FC quickly to get back
Copenhagen, Robins
should the ball make it
took his first steps
into management as
through to the team at
assistant to Alan Knill at the other end.
Rotherham United. Also limit the number
Knill’s departure saw of touches allowed for

2
Robins confirmed as the attacking team - a
the club’s new manager two-touch game at
after a short spell as first, then one-touch.
caretaker.
Finally, reduce the size Quick recovery is
In 2008/09, Rotherham essential should the
of the playing area, ball work its way to the
finished 14th in League adding even greater opposite end of the pitch.
Two despite starting
need for accuracy and
the campaign with a Key

17-point penalty. When

speed of thought. Ball
movement
Player
Robins departed for How would you put movement
Dribble
Barnsley in September this into a game
2009, United were top situation?
of the League Two
Split a full-size pitch
standings.
into thirds. Teams
After plotting another score a point either by
successful fight against
making a successful
relegation last season,
Robins has organised
pass through the
the Barnsley into an midfield, or by
efficient and dangerous intercepting the ball.
Championship side.
They have recorded
some impressive
results already this
term including a 5-2
win over Yorkshire
rivals Leeds United on
3 In a smaller playing area
quality of passing and
speed of thought become
September 14. essential.
Key
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble

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