Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Making the pitch big using lanes U11+ (Start Time: 2018-04-14 10:00:00)

Lane full sized (50 mins)

Organisation: Team in possession (focus) playing 1-2-3-2-1 against a 1-3-3-2, 8v6 (can also do 7v6 or 6v6 or 6v5 dependant on numbers (1 team in possesion has a goalkeeper)). Ensure there are plenty of footballs by the goal to ensure repetition. Aim to get the ball into one of the mini goals, angled to encourage forward angled passes or score a goal. 

Starter: The game is played with Netball rules, player with the ball cannot travel with the ball but can throw to a team mate. Team out of possession must attempt to intercept, 1m gap between the player with the ball and opposing team players. If the opposing team intercept, they attempt to throw the ball into the large goal, white team (team originally in possession) must attempt to win back quickly, if they do and lose the ball again, the practise restarts (3-5 minutes)

Main session: Now the practise start with the goalkeeper who must throw it or take a goal kick opposition can not tackle but can intercept or block (5-10 minutes). After some successes by the team in possession (white team), allow tackling (full pressure, no sliding tackles) (10-15 minutes), rotate players so both sets of players get an opportunity to try different positions and scenarios in this practise. Adapt numbers to suit ability and number if players on the day. (10.15-11.00)

Individual focus: Defensive midfielder (4)

Unit focus: 4 with Goallkeeper (1) with centre backs (5&6) to receive (wide players (2 and 3) also if goalkeeper goes long), 2 and 3 to disperse and attacking midfielders (7 and 8) to penetrate.

Primary focus: Ensure players where possible are not in the same lane in possession, wide players hug the touchline to make the pitch big.

Secondary focus: Can we get the number 4 on the ball to dictate play/ where the ball goes.

Tertiarty: If possession is lost, can we win the ball quickly (6 seconds) and counter attack (Transition element) with our shape and overloads on the pitch.

Opposition management: Press to win the ball and disrupt possession and attempt to score in transition by occupying lanes closest to the ball (3, see if the can figure out how many lanes) During breaks in play get group to discuss ways they can win the ball and create opportunities.

Coaching position: Primarily with the 4 then moving around the field to praise good moments of play.

Coaching points:

- Pass execution/ penetration e.g. technique of pass (particularly for longer more difficult passes) passed to back foot, thigh, chest etc. good height, pace of pass, curl if needed.

- Decision making selection of pass type (short/ long), height, part of foot, which foot passing to (receiving player), which player (are they marked? are they outnumbered in their area of the pitch? Can they combine to overload their area of the pitch?)?

- Width and dispersal: create width and disperse to create space in central areas for 4, 8 and 10 in middle lanes.

- Supporting players positioning and movement off the ball to support current and future player on the ball (difficult).

- Supporting players move in front of, away or behind defender as necessary, half turn to receive.

Interventions: Allow players to have a go for ten minutes and guide learning by questioning how we can support the player on the ball (use of tactic board) and who are directly working with the defensive midfielder (units)? During play regularly praise and re-iterate coaching points with defensive midfielder and other parts of the units. Second ten minutess use stop stand still in repeated instances when possession has been maintained using the lanes, when possession has been lost when bunched up or both. Afterwards discuss what went well, even better if? Last 5-10, discuss how the session has improved and note periods of prolonged possession or quick penetration which lead to a goal (if filming show video).