Technical cognitive relay race
- 6 markers (3 different colors)
- 8 poles
- 4 hoops (2 different colors)
- Balls
- Playing area: 20x15 meters / 22x16 yds
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12 minutes
- Series: 4 of 2 minutes each with 1 minute of passive recovery in between series
Summary | Secondary Objectives |
---|---|
Team-based circuit to train running with the ball, with cognitive elements and relay competition |
Coordination skills, Cognitive |
In a 20x15-meter/22x16-yard area create two identical courses, as shown in the picture. Leave 5 meters/yards between the circuits. Place three markers of different colors in a row, leaving 2 meters/yards between them. At about 2 meters/yards from the markers create a slalom with four poles (2-meter/yard distance between poles). After that place two hoops (Different colors), leaving 2 meters/yards between them. Players are divided into two teams of four players; each team places a pair of players on each side of the course (See picture). The race starts from the markers. Give a ball to each team.
The coach calls out two colors (One for the marker and the other one for the hoop) and players start the circuit by running with the ball to the opposite side of the course.
- Players go around the marker called by the coach (e.g. red)
- Players run with the ball through the poles in a slalom
- Then they go around the hoop called by the coach (e.g. blue)
- Players pass the ball to the teammate who starts the circuit in the opposite direction, keeping the coach's indications
The winning team will be the one that finishes the course first twice.
- Keep in mind the color sequence given by the coach in both directions
- Each player of the team should perform the course twice
- At the end of the series swap players' positions
- Call the colors at two different times, first the color of the marker and then the color of the hoop, reducing the available time for the player to elaborate the input
- The coach indicates the marker by pointing it, using a visual input
- Increase or decrease the distances
- Perform the course with one foot only
- Players are encouraged by competition to perform the exercise at maximum intensity
- The cognitive stimulus helps the player to stay focused and train response time
- The technical elements of the exercise help training dribbling, feints and tricks