How do I set it up?

Using a touchline as a line guide, we place three mannequins 1.5metres apart in a triangular formation, as shown in the diagram.

What do I get the players to do?

We run this in groups of three – one player working and two other players each serving the ball. So served from the left mannequin to the back of the triangle, a designated skill is performed and the ball returned. This skill is determined by the server.

This can be:

• one-touch return
• two-touch return
• volley
• half volley
• header
• in to go out
• out to go in

The move is replicated on the other side, and we rotate players regularly.

The exercise can be progressed by using just one ball, with all three players involved. And by insisting that all the skills demonstrated are performed in one set, we can strengthen the decision-making process whilst improving agility.

The ‘work to rest’ ratio is recommend as 1:3 – namely 20 seconds on, 40 seconds off, with up to six sets practised.

Exercise 2
Reactive agility with the ball

This is a one-player practice performed with a coach or server. In terms of pressing the ball, this exercise provides the most effective and demanding simulation

How do I set it up?

Refer to the diagram.

What do I get the players to do?

The player in the square plays a one-two with the coach or server. As the ball is passed back, the coach shouts out a colour. The working player must accelerate to the relevant cone with the same body shape and distance used for closing down or pressing an opponent in a match situation. They then return to centre of square as quickly as possible, ready to play a new one-two with the coach, and so on.

The exercise can be progressed by insisting that the ball is passed twice. A straight pass is made at first, before the working player peels off at an angle to return the second pass. Once this is done the colour of the cone is shouted, then repeat as above.

To further develop the phase and improve reactive agility, continue with the above methods, but introduce new colours, or remove the colours and replace with numbers. This will require the player to be additionally alert to changing situations around them.

The ‘work to rest ratio’ is again roughly 1:3 – 10-20seconds on, 30-40seconds off, with up to six sets, dependant on the overall intensity of main training session.

Exercise 3
Football specific agility with and without the ball 

This is a great exercise for movement and finding space to receive the ball. It requires an understandably high level of agility

How do I set it up?

We set this up with one or two players per group, as shown in the diagram.

What do I get the players to do?

The exercise begins with the working player providing an angle off a mannequin to receive the ball. Upon receiving on the half-turn, they must control the ball and dribble towards a bounce board. They play a one-two, receive the ball back, turn, and move back in the other direction.

Now coming back, the player once again must make a decision, adding turns and improvising with the ball. They have the option of utilising the coach in a one-two.

The exercise can be progressed by involving two players. Replicating the same exercise as above, the pair work together - when player 1 has the ball, player 2 is out of possession and must accelerate to a mannequin, providing an angle for a pass.

The ‘work to rest’ ratio remains 1:3, with the same conditions as above.

Exercise 4
2v2+4 functional agility

This is a competitive possession practice that uses neutral players

How do I set it up?

Refer to the diagram – this exercise uses the space in and around the centre circle, with teams split into two – 2v2 in the central 20x20-yard square, plus one neutral player on each outer edge.

What do I get the players to do?

The aim is to keep possession of the ball in the 2v2 situation for as long as possible. There is no limit on touches inside the square, though players on the outside are restricted to two touches. Outer players must flight balls back into the 2v2 area, and can only play to another outer player once before play must go back into the middle.

The ability to create space through agility and movement is key to this exercise, whether that be in possession or not.

The ‘work to rest’ ratio remains 1:3, although the timing is rigid with a strict 20 seconds on, 40 seconds off, and a maximum of six sets.

Performance assessment

Due to the nature of the specialism, there is no objective way to benchmark or track the session’s influence. However, by obtaining subjective feedback from the player you will be able to identify improvement.

The key targets for improvement are how much quicker, stronger and more accurate a player can make himself through the pre-season schedule.