Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Academy 10U - Receiving With Back to Goal

2v1 Receiving with back to goal (15 mins)

Set Up: Two 20x20 Grids to keep players active and a good work/rest ratio

1. Attacker A, with the ball facing goal plays Attacker B 10 yards away with their back to the defender and goal. Attacker B then controls it and plays it back to Attacker A. The defender only starts defending once the return pass has been played

2. Attacker B, after playing the return pass, instantly opens up wide to provide a passing lane. Attacker A drives at the defender at speed

3. Attacker A, after engaging the defender, then has the choice to pass to Attacker B making a forward run into space or dribble and shoot

Progression: Add an offside rule and teach players to adjust movement to get open and stay onside.

Coaching Points:

Attacker A: 

• How should you take your first touch? Forward so you can engage the defender immediately.
• Dribble at defender to force them to make a choice
• How do you know when to pass? If the defender stops you from dribbling towards goal. 
• How do you know when to dribble and try to score? When the defender stops me from passing to my teammate.

• What should you do after you pass the ball? Get wide to provide good angle for your teammate to pass you the ball
• How should you take your first touch if your teammate passes you the ball? Across body in the direction you want to go (most likely towards goal in this scenario).

Once scoring opportunity is created player in possession should try to look up to see the goalkeeper's position before shooting.

4v3 (15 mins)

Set up: 

Use an area approximately half of the 7v7 Academy field as shown in the diagram with a full size goal on the goal line and 3 counter gates on the half line (field size could be made a little smaller than half field if necessary). 

Play 4v3 with the team of 4 scoring on the full size goal while the team of 3 score by passing through either of the counter gates. Ball always starts with the team of 4. The players should be asked to play specific positions for this activity. Rotate new players in every time a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play.

Coaching Points: 

• How should you receive the ball? Across body, with the foot that is furthest away to see more of the field
• How should your team shape look when you have the ball? Compact or spread out? Spread out, so that we have space to attack
• What should you do if you receive the ball with your back to goal and there is a defender behind you? Play the ball to a teammate then open up to provide an option
• What should your team do if the defenders stop you from going directly to the goal? Be patient and keep possession by passing to an open player, even if that means playing the ball backwards
• How do you know where the open players are? Picking up my head and looking
• What do you do if you have space when in possession of the ball? Dribble and attack the space