When the going gets tough, the tough get running

Small(er) pitch training today (7 aside pitch) and not sure if the pitch was a factor but the turnout was also smaller with 7 of us training with coach I.

It was no less intense though, in fact, it felt very much more intense thanks to the 2 hour slot! No rondo training, instead we warmed up with some paired drills: control-pass, dribble-run backwards, stepover-side to sides, headers, volleys, thigh controls, just to name a few. Had a really hard mitre ball which made my left foot hurt since we were to volley with the laces.

Action-reaction drill was interesting, although a little dangerous when running shoulder to should for the ball, with variations such as kneeling, lying down, and sitting. Shooting drills were also very interesting, as we had less people, we could take turns doing short intense sessions, example being the 6 balls being lined up on halfway, and one had to do a 1-2 with another player before shooting, alternating between goalposts. The competitive variation was to run opposite goals (3 balls lined up) and keep scoring, whilst seeing who reached back to half way first after completing 3 shots. Was really quite winded and pooped, but we played 4 aside with coach, with the rule that we could only shoot inside the box (no keeper). We then moved on to having a keeper with no shot restrictions.

For a start, my team had coach so we were playing well, with 3 very mobile players and me, constantly passing and moving (well, passing in my case, i stayed on the button), and getting into space for the easy tap-ins. Then coach switched sides with Jeremy, and things got a lot more even, although we managed to keep scoring. I also managed to twist my ankle trying to shadow coach. Ouch. And then proceeded to bugger my ankle more by stopping 2 shots and a cross with it. I did have several instances where the legs just gave way and i could not even make a pass out into the waiting player in space on a breakaway. *facepalm* I did manage a good goal against coach in goal, with a break down the left, i let the ball run across my body before shooting with my outside right foot which left him flatfooted because he was expecting a left footed shot. Overall enjoyable but very tiring!

New timeslot with familiar faces

Actually the second session i attended at this here new timeslot that is earlier in the week, and am adjusting to it although i'm not liking it. Familiar faces at training meant that it's a good training session all round and we seem to be gravitating towards our natural positions, mine being in defence (preferably at right back).

Usual warm up rondos was fun, and at times frenetic, but we managed to good passes and even a few nutmegs. Then it was 3 person drills that were the usuals but for a longer distance between, with variations like the middle player control, pass, run around the gate, receive the return pass, turn and repeat with the other side.

Then it was shooting drill, with a pass to a player and then calling out the side to go to (via a coloured cone). I kept getting on to my left foot due to the left side being called repeatedly, so it was a good chance to shoot with the left rather weakly, finally scored when the player who passed to me called for the right side instead, with the ball going far post and sneaking in by hitting the inside of the side netting.

The match itself was quite even, and the scoreline of 2-2 showed this. We did concede both goals while i was at centreback, so i had to switch to rightback and had a much better time, completing all my take on tackles without letting anyone by, and intercepted 2 crosses. From the clearance of one of the crosses, we started a counter attack which resulted in a great goal by our young 'un who was fast and strong with the ball. Good session although the aches and pains the next day is quite bad thanks to my 3 week layoff, and also manage to bugger up my right knee so i was limping the next day.