Incision Game Related Practice

Set Up

• N/A
• 40/48 x 32 yards
• 2 teams + neutral players
• Footballs, cones, bibs, 4 mannequins

Objectives

• Develop passing and receiving techniques.
• Improve decision-making and quick thinking under pressure.
• Improve movement, support and combination play.

Details

• Area set up 40/48 yards long and 32 yards wide (20/24 yards per zone). Mannequins across the middle area 11 yards apart. 4 neutral players are placed around the outside of the playing area, 2 at the sides and 1 at each end. Supply of footballs at the side with the coach. 5v5 in the main playing area.

  Play 5v5 in the main playing area and the team in possession uses the neutral players to make it a 9v5. The aim is to keep possession before making an incision run/pass/dribble into the other area before passing to the top neutral player. Once this happens ALL players must transition across and the team in possession aims to repeat.

Considerations

• Keep possession – Consolidation zone.
• Multiple/constant incision runs.
• Decision on the ball, is teammate offside?
• Movement from the wide player – they can threaten too.
• Disguise from player in possession.
• Read the game, don’t watch it!

Coaching Points

• Scan before receiving. 
• Timing of run, run offside if you have to. 
• Influence the game without touching the ball. 
• Type of pass, through pass or over the press. 
• Creative movements/recycled run.
• The runs make the pass.

Willie McNab

• Willie is Head of Children’s Programme (U8-U13) at Celtic F.C.