Timing in integrated training
Drills' goal should be to create the right timing that allows motor skills to be expressed in a variable way |
“The goal of integrated training is to create a timing that allows motor skills to be expressed in a variable, situational way, as soccer requires” (Arcelli E., Borino U., 2004).
- The term integrated training is widespread among coaches, but sometimes it can be misused. It's obvious that soccer studies have led to great improvements in soccer knowledge and training methodology. But the one who believe in integrated training think that it's very difficult to train individual areas separately, and in order to improve every aspect of this sport one have to recreate situations that are the closest to a real match.
- In everyday language, timing is called “sense of time”. On the field its meaning is wider and goes beyond temporal aspect, becoming the art of coordinating tactical, technical, physical and psychological conditions.
- Arcelli and Borino's definition includes two peculiar terms: “situational and variable”. A drill is part of an integrated training when there is permanent variability of situations. A ball possession isn't always variable and the match becomes a training principle. Our drill, in order to be key for oriented control training, could be a game with the obligation of three ball touches.
- Not one, because the player can't receive the ball; it turns into transmission.
- Not two, because players tend to receive still and then pass the ball.
- The third touch encourages pressing. Oriented control becomes fundamental in order to avoid pressing.
Our exercise's goal should be creating a timing that allows motor skills to be expressed in a variable, situational way.