Soccer is a game that requires tremendous skill. It also demands that the players be extremely well conditioned. The sport requires long periods of running as well as multiple short explosive bursts. To be effective soccer players must be trained for both quick explosive movements and the ability to run for long periods of time. Physically, players need speed, power, agility and quickness to be successful with the ball against an opponent.
In the clip below Ben Paneccasio, Men’s and Women’s Performance Specialist Coach at Grand Canyon University, demonstrates a conditioning drill that also gives you the opportunity to get your players multiple touches. The drill is designed to improve your players aerobic power. This is what Coach Paneccasio calls Zone 2. The drill is from a complete DVD dedicated to training soccer players in the four different energy zones needed to be an effective player. For more information about the DVD that this clip came from click the link Soccer Conditioning Drills and Games with a Ball
The YouTube video has sound so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site. (Some schools block access to YouTube)
The set up for the Zone 2 exercise is as follows. You will need for cones or poles. The will be placed in a diamond shape with the cones approximately 10 yards apart. The drill is designed for 2-4 players. The drill begins with one player (server) standing at one end of the diamond. He will have a collection of balls. The other players will be position at the opposite end of the diamond. The first player will sprint to his right and go around the outside of the cone and receive a pass from the server. He then passes back with one touch. After going back around to the inside of the cone, the player will sprint to the far side of the cone where the server is positioned. He receives a short pass and returns it. Next he shuffles to the other side of the cone and quickly receives another short pass that is promptly returned. He now sprints around the third cone and receives a pass that he passes back. Once he passes the ball back he walks back to the start while the next player is sprinting to the first cone.