Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Passing Technical and Skill Practice - Stu Task 1 JN (Start Time: 2018-09-25 17:05:00)

Organisation (10 mins)

Key Factors Passing, control and turning.

Organisation Practice set for 10 players. Players in pairs on one cone alternate. Focussed on short/med passing but area size can be altered if considered unsuitable when observing players.

The entire area is 20m x 24m, the lined squares are 10m x 12m and the cones are 10m apart.

Players are in teams of four and receive bibs upon arrival.

Additional footballs are placed around the area to maximise 'ball in play' time.

The ball starts in the 'centre'.

Skill/SSG (10 mins)

Cones are now removed and players must pass the ball via team mates through all four squares (starting bottom right)

Firstly, both teams pass through the squares - the blue bibs becoming passive obstructions for the red bibs and vice-versa

Then same practice in opposite direction

Teams will then alternate between passing and tackling and score a point every time the ball is returned to the player making the first pass

Mechanics of technique:

Look at target; Eye on ball; Angle of approach/step; Non-striking foot next to ball; Head over ball, Lock ankle; Strike middle of ball; Follow through to target.

The progression introduces competition to the practice, therefore gradually simulating the game situation by adding, in blocks, 1) Different directional play 2) Time/competitive pressure 3) Passive Obstructon and 4) Defenders - so partly simulating a real game.