Play through the middle

By Michael Beale

It's one thing to read an interception but a player who is ready and able to move quickly, and get in front of the intended recipient of the pass, will be much better equipped to win the ball.

Your players need to be warmed up so they will be quicker to the ball as soon as the match starts. Using a warm-up like this one will help them be prepared.

• Split your players into four groups.
• The first player in each group starts in the middle square.
  
• On your whistle, the players turn and run through the cones, making sure both feet touch the ground between each cone, before receiving a pass from a team mate at the corner.
  
• The players must perform a pass, volley or header when they get to the pole to complete the task.
• The serving player then runs to the middle square and the practice is repeated