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Recover the Middle First

U11–U12 · 60-minute practice

Explore and notice

Ready to start

10:00

Rest and transitions are included in each activity. Pause for additional breaks.

Next: Recover toward the middle

Find the target, then share the jobs.

Begin at walking pace in the numbered stations. Identify the target being protected, walk toward its central route and only then name nearest or cover. Share the ball when needed; an observer watches the same decision and takes a ball turn on the next assigned round.

s46-arrival28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 8 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: After a loss, recover to the central route before deciding who delays and who covers. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show turnover recover using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Change possession: A gentle pass announces a change of ownership. 2. Recover the middle: Former attackers recover centrally; the new carrier waits. 3. Set the new roles: One delays; a partner covers when available.Station 1Station 21357246828 × 34 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route1. Change possessioncornercornercornercornergategategategateStation 1: To #3: gentle pass changes possessionStation 2: To #4: gentle pass changes possession13572468Ball 1Ball 2A gentle pass announces achange of ownership.2. Recover the middlecornercornercornercornergategategategateStation 1: #1: recover to the central target routeStation 1: #7: recover on the deeper routeStation 2: #2: recover to the central target routeStation 2: #8: recover on the deeper route13572468Ball 1Ball 2Former attackers recovercentrally; the new carrierwaits.3. Set the new rolescornercornercornercornergategategategateStation 1: #1: take the new nearest position without challengingStation 1: #7: take the new covering positionStation 1: #5: show an outlet for the new carrierStation 2: #2: take the new nearest position without challengingStation 2: #8: take the new covering positionStation 2: #6: show an outlet for the new carrier13572468Ball 1Ball 2One delays; a partner coverswhen available.Solid gold: ball · dashed pale: player · dotted blue: shadow / defender

Player arrivals and departures

Use anonymous numbers from 1 to 99. Changes take effect before an activity begins; each activity needs 4–16 players.

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