Brain training: awareness (Emery at PSG)

A drill from Unai Emery from his time at Paris Saint-Germain.

Objective

• improve the awareness and the reaction speed of the brain
  

Organisation

• 5 players per organisation
• 4 colored goals (or a goal, marked with a cone or vest)
  
• 4 colored mannequins (or mannequins marked with a cone or vest)
• 4 balls

How to play

• 1 player starts in the middle, 4 players on the side
• the player who is going to play the ball calls a color first
• the player who is in the center touches the mannequin of that color 
• he then gets the ball played to him, while the passing player calls another color
• the player who is in the middle shoots the ball into that specific goal

Adjustments

• players rotate, so that the ball can be played from different positions
• change colors every few minute to create a new orientation

Coaching

• ‘Constantly look around you to see where everyone is situated.'
• ‘Perform all assignments as quickly as you can.'
• 'Stay in control of the ball.'
• 'Switch as soon as possible after hearing the color.'
• 'Link what you hear and what you see in one action.'
• 'Produce a good first touch, so that you can finish quickly.'
• 'Make sure you control the ball in an open way.'