Variations on a 4 v 4 Theme

Many tactical training sessions are based around a small-sided game theme. In fact, aerobic conditioning can also be achieved using small-sided games. The small-sided game is such an important tool for a coach, it is helpful to have in the “coaches toolbox” a clear understanding of how and why to vary the small-sided game to achieve different aims. I consider, and will use, the 4 v 4 2-touch possession game (20yd x 20yd) as the benchmark from which we will investigate the possible variations. I use this game in most, if not all, of my training sessions throughout the season. Many times it is used as a warm-up before a larger tactical game, but it serves as an excellent warm-up which also gets the players in the right state of mind and body before moving on to other more complex training.

Following are the many variations on the 4 v 4 theme which can be used to great affect:

Using Heart Rate Monitors During Soccer Training

The intensity at which an athlete performs training exercises is a crucial factor in athletic training and development. However, it is often difficult to accurately quantify how intensely an exercise has been performed. This can be an obstacle in planning effective training sessions as certain exercises must be performed at prescribed intensities in order for there to be the desired degree of athletic improvement. Performing an exercise at too low of an intensity will not allow the athlete to progress and, over the long term, will result in stagnation or a degradation of athletic ability. Performing an exercise at too high of an intensity can result in excessive fatigue, injury, or overtraining.

Effective Conditioning with Intervals

What is Interval Training?

Interval training is a type of physical conditioning in which a series of high intensity activities (running, cycling, swimming, etc.) are separated by a lower intensity activity. Interval training is an excellent way to increase your aerobic power, expand your anaerobic capacity, improve the ability to recovery quickly from an exercise, burn fat, and is viewed much more positively by athletes than the traditional slower-paced continuous running that many coaches still employ.