Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U12 Session 11: Drill, MDG & SGG - Switch of Play (Start Time: 2016-01-13 21:55:00)

Drill - Passing over variable distance (10 mins)

Organisation 

Playing area 40x20 yards

Ball between each pair

Create zone - 10 yards in length - with cones, as above.

Instruction

Players initially remain on the edge of the zone, drilling the ball to each other along the ground.

Accuracy of pass is key,

Progressions

1. Rather than drilling the ball, players must float a pass to their partner, ensuring theat the pass remains airbourne over the coned zone.

2. Increase the length of the coned area to the blue lines, forcing the players to ensure the ball remains airbourne for a greater distance - can they 'hit' their partner accurately without the ball bouncing?

3. Red players to vary the distance - once they have passed the ball from the edge of the playing area, they must sprint to the red cone. Blue player must drill the ball along the ground if their partner is at the edge of the shaded area. Once the red player controls the ball and returns it with a ground pass, the red player must immediately retreat to the edge of the playing area again. This time, the red player must float the ball to the red player. Rotate moving player to allow blue player to vary the distance.

Key Points

Keep eye on ball.

Place your none kicking foot which is slightly bent, in line with ball.

To drill the ball along the ground, ensure leaning slightly over the ball.

When striking the ball off the ground, lean back slightly and approach from an angle (45 degrees).

Your kicking leg should follow through in the direction you want the ball to go.

Drill - Passing across a Circle (10 mins)

Organisation

Create a circle with a 30 yard diameter. Within the circle, create an a square 10x10 yards.

Place 12 players on the edge of the circle and 4 players in the middle of the circle.

Play with 4 balls distributed between 4 of the players on the edge of the circle.

Instructions

Objective is to play a wall pass with a player on the inside in order to switch the play to opposite end of the circle.

Player on inside of the circle seeks a player on outside of the circle who has a ball. 1-2 played to enable player on the outside of the circle to pass the ball across the circle - ensuring the ball is airbourne over the central square.

A player can only be in possession of one ball at any one time. Players must make sure they pass the ball to a player who doesn't have a ball.

Communication by player passing the ball - make sure the receiving player knows the ball is coming!

SSG (20 mins)

Organisation

Create a pitch 70 yards wide and 40 yards long.

Place a goal on each longer side.

Create a 10 yard channel as above, running the length of the pitch.

Divide players into two teams - 9 red (4-3-1) and 8 blue (3-3-1).

Red team to be coached.

Instructions

Teams can only score if they achieve a switch of play from one channel to another, and then score within 10 passes following the switch of play.

Any player can enter the channel at any time - and to begin, once in possession of the ball, in the channel, the player cannot be tackled.

Progressions

1. Players can be tackled in the channels;

2. Goals can still only be scored following a switch of play but no passing conditions follwing switch of play.

Coaching Points

Players need to be alert to the possibility of a switch of play - trigger? - once the ball is in the opposite channel, can a player create a switch of play by hanging wide in the other channel? How will the player in possession be aware of the possibilty of a switch of play? communication? Vision?

When would it be appropriate to consider a switch of play? If space exists to attack on the other flank - not if the space is marked.

What other ways are there to switch play other than from one long pass from channel to channel? via a pass (or series of passes) via a central player who passes the ball quickly upon receiving it. More secure? less likely to be intercepted? Slower than a single long pass?

Which central players can play be switched via? GK, CB and MF.

Who should be looking to enter the channels in a 4-3-1 formation? RB/LB; RMF/LMF.

What are the risks of a switch of play? Gaps are left which could be attacked should possession be lost.

What are the benefits? An quick, accurate switch of play, can create a scoring opportunity - or, by stretching the play, oppostiion will have to readjust - may be vulnerable to gaps which can then be exploited by more direct play with quick passing and movement. Movement of the ball, and movement of players, causes confusion and is more difficult to defend against.