Recovery Run: Shadow

Set up

Field

Mark a 75x60 yard area on a regulation field. Use cones to show the attacking formation, with a 4-4-2 diamond midfield as the example. If helpful, add a second color of cones to mark the defensive recovery positions.

Players

11 or more players.

Keeper

Yes. Put 1 goalkeeper in the top goal.

How it runs

1. 1.A team of 10-11 works through shadow play with no defenders toward the top goal.
2. 2.The coach starts each pattern by playing from the center circle into the back four.
3. 3.Players combine in a realistic attacking sequence and finish the move on goal.
4. 4.Immediately after the shot, everyone retreats to the designated cone positions to simulate the negative transition.
5. 5.The coach can call for different patterns, including an outside overlap, inside overlap, central combination, cross and finish, or at least 2 positional rotations.

After each rep

Restart every repetition from the coach at the center circle.