Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Attacking in Tight Spaces (7v7)

Warm Up (10 mins)

Warm Up Phase

Players are in groups of 2 or groups of 4 (depending on the space and amount of players you have).

The player at the front of each line dribbles out at pace, directly at the two cones in front of them and performs an attacking move/piece of skill to get beyond the cones (which act as a defender) and play a pass to the player in the next line on the opposite side of the grid. That player then repeat this process going the other way.

Ask players to perform different moves at pace.

- inside and outside cut

- scissors

- Ronaldo chop

- V-Turn 

- Players choice (allow creative freedom)

Coaching Points

• Attack at speed, keeping the ball close to you.
• Timing of the skill to beat the opponent (don't get too close into tackling range). 
• Quality of the pass into the next player.
• Quality of first touch to set up the next dribble.
• Be confident on the ball.

• Make it a race first team to complete a certain amount of rotations/reps wins.

1v1 / 2v2 to Goals (20 mins)

1v1 / 2v2's

Split your group into two teams, one team is attacking and the other is defending.

On the coaches command players run around their corner cone and the nearest goal to enter the field to play in a 1v1 or 2v2 situation.

The attackers must beat the defender off the dribble or get behind them with passing before finishing in either goal.

If the defender or defenders win the ball they look to counter attack to the two goals at the opposite end of the field.

Rotate teams after 2-3mins and keep score.

Coaching Points

• Be positive / direct with the ball at your feet, put the defender under pressure.
• Head up early and assess your decision 
• How can you unbalance the defender?
• Movement of 2nd player to create space or passing option.
• Speed of attack must be high.
• How/can we create an overload within the 2v2?

• Set a time limit for the attackers score a goal.