Piggy in the middle 3 v 1 in two squares: free the passing lanes
- 8 markers
- 2 balls
- 2 vests
- Playing area: 6x15 meters / 5x16 yards
- Players: 8
- Duration: 14 minutes
- Series: 8 of 1'30'' each with 2 minutes of passive recovery in between series
Summary | Secondary Objectives |
---|---|
Positional play that trains unmarking and finding the free passing line by working on transitions |
Cognitive, Pass, Marking, Transitions |
Create two squares of 5x5 meters/yards with the markers leaving about 5 meters/yards between them. On each square place four players. Inside the square place one player without ball (Red vest) that plays as defender. The remaining players go to the sides of the square with a ball.
- The game is developed like a piggy in the middle (torello), with the three players on the sides of the square passing the ball to each other trying to avoid interception by the defender
- The player inside the square must try to win the ball
- At the coach's command (e.g., whistle or a given voice command) the player in possession of the ball must pass it to a free player in the other square, thus changing play. An exchange of the two balls takes place simultaneously
- At each set change the player stationed inside the square (defender)
- Passes can occur either outside or inside the square
- For every 6 consecutive passes, players outside the square get a point
- If the defender wins the ball (positive transition), they must lead it outside their square to get a point
- Include a competitive element: the defender who recovers the most balls wins the competition
- Increase or decrease the size of the square according to the age and skills of players
- The game trains players to lose the marker and position themselves to receive the ball
- Defenders are challenged aerobically, make sure to allow proper recovery time
- The defender must learn to anticipate the opponent's intentions in order to intercept their passes (motor anticipation)
- Train peripheral vision and a wide focus that allows players to have a total view of both fields of play
- Stimulate intensity and quality of kicking in passes so as not to give defenders time to intervene