Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Pressure, Cover & Balance

Y Passing Pattern (15 mins)

Practice Organisation:

-Use Poles or Mannequins set up as illustrated.

-A player on each mannequin.

-First player moves the ball to either side of the mannequin.

-Player receiving the ball moves accordingly, always on an angle.

-He receives ball on back foot and plays on the angle again to player who has checked off to receive the ball.

Progressions:

-Player 3 sets the ball playing a one two round the mannequin.

Learning Objectives:

-Timing of movement.

-Body shape to receive.

-Receive on back foot.

-Accuracy/weight /quality of pass.

4 v 4 (+ 3 Neutrals) (15 mins)

Suitable for 8's - 18's. Simply reduce pitch size as players get older.

This game should end with the players playing predominantly one and two touch, wothout the coach having to put those restrictions on the game. Very little dribbling/turning.

4 Reds v 4 Blues, + 3 Neutral Yellows. No player is restricted in where they can go. The key to success for the team in possession ( Reds at the moment ) is to maintain their disciplne and stay roughly between the two cones as indicated. This way the player with the ball will have more options. More triangles are created and the 4 defenders ( Blues at the moment ) should struggle to regain possession.

As soon as the defending team make a regain the game continues and they should make their way to the gaps between the cones as quickly as possible.

Learning Objectives

*Recognising where to position yourself to be available for a team mate.

*Learning that by having the discipline to maintain your position, by shuffling only a few yards in any direction, your team mates will always know where you are and will be able to retain possession easily.

Technical

*Body shape - Always open to see as much as possible/to be aware of as many options as possible.

*Passing - Weight/Timing of release.

*Receiving - away from pressure, to entice pressure.

*Direction changes, ball manipulation.

Tactical

*Understanding where to position yourself to be available for the ball, and being aware of as many of your options as possible when in possession of the ball.

Physical

*Low to medium intensity when in possession.

*High intensity when out of possession.

Psychological/Social

*Intelligence to expand pitch when necessary.

*Desire to deny space without the ball.

*Knowledge of triggers of when to press.

7v7 Game (15 mins)

Practice Organisation

*Set up a pitch 35x50yds

*Two teams set up in a 2-3-1