Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Forward runs without the ball

Technical Practice

Team Learning Objectives - to improve forward runs without the ball

Session Organisation - this can be set up to suit any numbers by using more boxes. For simplicity I've used 12 players. Size of grids and area to suit your players.

How to Play - players can be numbered at first to control the practice. Players keep possession in their box until coach calls a number. That player then must receive the next pass while one of his team mates makes a run towards the diagonally opposite box. The numbered player now plays the pass into the runner who takes the ball to the diagonally opposite group.

Progressions -

1. Pass can be played to the adjacent box who then pass to the runner.

2. Pass can be played to the diagonally opposite box who can "set" the runner.

Forward runs without the ball

Starting Point - 1 Plays to 2,3 or 4 depending on who is in space these players then look to play forward to players who have made runs off the ball to create space. Player 1 looks to support behind the ball. If the defending team win the ball back they have 5 touches between the team to score in the mini goals.

Key Factors - There are two main groups of run that you need to focus on. i.e runs to create space for others or runs to exploit space

Runs to create space for others -

Running from in front of the ball -

Inside out diagonal runs

Outside in diagonal runs

Running from behind the ball -

Over/under laps

Diagonal runs

Runs to Exploit Space -

Running from in front of the ball -

Diagonal runs across the defender

Diagonal run wrong footing the defender by checking and changing direction

Combination of diagonal/straight pass with straight/diagonal run

Running from behind the ball -

Over/under lap

Movement from behind the ball into space created by movement in front of the ball

Additional Factors

Quality and timing of the pass

Awareness of forward players runs - being able to spot a player who wants the ball and when they are trying to create space for others

Decision Making - when to pass and when to dribble to exploit space

Watching for offside - timing of runs