Hi thinkers of the 1,5 minute ball-possessed!

Yes, normally those interested in topics as such are interested in developing individual skills – even when pursuing a better collective game – and we know for a fact that the average ball possession per player, per Match, is less than 2 minutes.

Then, from now on, you will be in the 1 and a half minute ball-possessed group! Welcome!

The most relevant skill in a footballer is its decision-making ability, period.

Therefore, the following question is if it is a mental, technical, tactical, physical or social skill ?

It’s so important that it touches all of them in equal proportions. 

A top-player cannot expect to have a relevant career being good in only one of those corners, it’s simply impossible in the modern Football. 

“I trained about 4 hours a week at Ajax as a boy, but I played 4 hours on the streets every day. Where do you think I learned to play Football?”

Johan Cruyff

So how can a Coach promote creativity and decision-making skills in his Training Session, making sure that it includes all the corners needed to develop?

I would recommend to make sure to start in a small space, with the ball always involved and to ensure the players that there are always 2 viable options (at least) when we’re playing Football. This should provide safety and empowerment in the decision-making process assimilation.

I’m attaching 4 Exercises – with no hierarchy relevance attached –  that simulate game-related situations (in a very small proportion) for the development of Creativity and Decision-making Skills in a safe environment. Most importantly, they all cover the 5 Corners-Matrix, with more or less intensity. 

There are probably 1,000 more Exercises that could fit the propose here, don’t stress too much if your preferred exercise isn’t here. 

Share it with me and let’s have a chat about it!

	Technical	Physical	Tactical	Mental	Social
Exercise 1	XXX	XX	XX	XXX	XXX
Exercise 2	XXX	XXX	X	XXX	XX
Exercise 3	XXX	XXX	X	X	XX
Exercise 4	XXX	XX	XXX	XXX	XXX

Want to progress and improve the exercise?

Add players, remove/add space, reduce the space to make a decision, and so on.

Always remember, when preparing a Training Session and Exercises, that it always comes down to Time, Space and Numerical Relationships.

Want to increase the depth of the information provided?

Prepare your feedback and interventions, make sure they reach all players in an unique way and predict the struggles that your players will face during execution. Control the chaos with your effective communication.

Start with the simple and basic stuff, don’t over complicate.

Remember how street football looked like from afar, the almost non-existing rules, the smells, rigidity and the joy for each goal or dribble. 

Football is that simple.

If you’re still enjoying, see you next time!

If this is not for you, it was nice to have you here. See you at the next Coffee chat!

Exercise Description (in simple terms):

1. Promoting Decision-making in 1v1 situation with small goals. Player with ball possession must drive the ball until designated area for 1v1, choosing small goal A or B to score a goal. Progression made with 2v1, 2v1+1, etc.
2. Promoting Decision-making in 1v1 situation, holding the ball. To be comfortable with the ball possession is one the most important characteristics of a top football player. Player with ball possession has a joker player (outside the designated area) that can be used as a last-scenario option to hold the ball.
3. Promoting Decision-making in 1v1 situation, step-in on the line. Small space, 1v1, designated lines to score. Provide time to score multiple goals, promote small touches, lots of dribbling situations, change of speed and direction towards the goal line. Love to do it as a final warm-up exercise!
4. Promoting Decision-making in 3v1 possession drill. This exercise increases decision-making with important cues for Tactical awareness. Basically, to have the original rondo but with an “empty line” at all time, allowing players to rotate outside the designated area in order to provide good passing-angles and options to the one in possession of the ball.