Perhaps the most critical task on the field, once we've determined the activity that we want to use (rondo, positional play, small-sided game, unopposed passing), is deciding how to place the equipment - specifically, the sizes of boundaries, the location and sizes of the goals (if any), and the positions of any other equipment (additional cones, mannequins, and so on). Too small, and the players may not be successful in the attacking phase. Too large, and the attacking players may not be challenged. A mistake I made early in my coaching career was following the sizes/locations for the drills that I used from coaching books. The problem with that strategy was (and is) that my team might be younger (or older) or more (or less) skilled than whatever team the coach providing the drill had planned for. When I started observing my team and their ability to perform an activity, I realized that making adjustments (moving cones, goals, etc) could immediately improve the learning environment. At first, it seemed awkward to stop and have players move equipment around - typically making boundaries a few yards larger or smaller or moving goals around. Including the players in the process and being quick about it - "Hold up, let's make the box a little bigger - Bobby, could you move that cone a few steps? Jim, could you match him - OK, let's keep going!" - is minimally disruptive. After working with a team for a while, I can better find the right size initially. In summary - it's essential to know how the activity should look when it is not like that and recognize when an adjustment is necessary to allow the players to experience the pictures you're trying to create.

Our session this week focuses on the challenge of developing combinations of play in the midfield during the attacking phase.

• The FIFA-11+ warmup following by a plyometrics block.
• A 1v1 flying changes activity designed to develop quick movements and progressive passing techniques.
• A 3v3+1 activity with 3 1v1s in zones plus a floating midfielder
• A hybrid positional play / small-sided game with a possession phase followed by playing to 2 goals at opposite ends of the field
• A half-field conditioned scrimmage - play initiated in the midfield progressing into the final third. Progressions include adding additional defenders and adjusting the conditions.

Click the image below to access the full plan and videos

The small-sided game is designed to encourage players to move forward as a unit. A team can only score once all players are over the half-line. On counterattacks, encourage teammates to communicate to the player on the ball when the goal is "unlocked" (all players are over the half line). Changing the dimensions of the field can increase (or decrease) the physical workload for the players.

Click the image below to view the video and coaching notes