Verheijen 4v4 conditioning game: 2 sets of 6x1 minute
Raymond Verheijen's football conditioning game for the final weeks of pre-season: 4v4 to two mini goals on 30x20 m, two sets of six 1-minute repetitions with 2 minutes of rest.
El 1 saca rápido hacia el 2 mientras el defensor 1 salta a presionar.
Objective
Improve the ability to repeat explosive actions (sprints, decelerations, duels) and to recover quickly between them inside the game itself, with no isolated running.
Organisation
30x20 m pitch marked with cones and a mini goal on each end line. Two teams of 4 (bibs) and a third team waiting outside that comes on for the next repetition. Balls spread along both end lines and the coach with a stopwatch. Scheme: 2 sets x 6 repetitions of 1 minute of play with 2 minutes of rest between repetitions and 4-5 minutes between sets.
Development
- 1On the signal a 4v4 starts at maximum intensity for 60 seconds; a goal only counts if scored from the opponent's half.
- 2When the ball goes out, the restarting team plays immediately with a new ball from its end line: no dead time.
- 3At one minute the signal sounds: players stop, walk and drink during the 2-minute rest (the third team comes on if there are three).
- 4Repeat six times (set 1). Long rest of 4-5 minutes with light jogging and mobility.
- 5Set 2: another six 1-minute repetitions; opponents can be swapped every repetition to keep it competitive.
- 6Keep a cumulative score per team; the losers collect the equipment. In the following pre-season week the rest drops to 1.5 minutes with the same 1-minute work.
Coaching points4
- Demand match intensity in every action: pressure on the ball carrier, sprints to get free and immediate recovery runs after losing the ball.
- Restarts are always fast: the game never stops, the coach feeds balls constantly.
- Watch the intensity drop in the last repetitions: that is the point of the stimulus, not a failure.
- Keep the rules simple so that intensity is the only variable.
Common mistakes3
- Badly timed rests that turn the stimulus into extensive work.
- Playing safe with long passes between defenders to lower the tempo.
- Scheduling this stimulus on consecutive days or the day before a match.
Variations3
- 3v3 on 25x15 m for more actions per player.
- Play with full-size goals and keepers to include finishing.
- Two-touch maximum to speed up circulation.
Progressions2
- Following week: 2x6x1 minute with 1.5 minutes of rest.
- Increase to 2x8 repetitions keeping the 2-minute rest.
Regressions2
- Reduce to 1x6 repetitions on the first exposure.
- Increase the rest to 3 minutes for players returning from injury.
Tips
- Place this stimulus four days after the match (MD+4) and leave a tactical day between two conditioning sessions.
- Have 10-12 balls spread around so that restarts are instant.