Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): "open up" to give GK passing options

Circle of passing (10 mins)

Set Up:

2 teams of even numbers 6 & 6

large outside circle area (red cones)

Small square central area (yellow cones)

Instructions:

One team starts outside the circle (White), the other team (pink) starts inside the square with a ball each

Players make a pass to the outside player, then move "level with the ball"  before receiving the ball back. then the player can dribble the ball back into the square before starting again.

The player should sprint and "open up" when moving back level with the ball.

Players on the outside must only give the ball back with a square pass when the player is ready to receive.

The inside players should have moved quickly, head check, opened up, be facing forward and calling for the ball.

Rotate players after 30 seconds

Variation/Progression:

Play can be competitive by keeping count of how many times they can perform action in allocated time

Players should open up on both sides

Key Coaching Points:

Use the dribble time to scan, and find who you are passing to next

Remind players on the outside to call for the ball, and be on their toes ready to recieve.

Timing the pass will keep quality in the actions.

Player Coaching Points:

Players should have: 

Played the ball with speed

Moved quickly

Head check

Opened up, 

Be facing forward 

Calling for the ball.

Aggressive first touch away

5v3 (back 5 vs front 3) (20 mins)

Set Up:

Same field setup as previous 2v1 setup, also now using full size goal

5v3 games, 1 game at a time:

1 GK (green)

Back 4 field players (B&W)

Front 3 field players (pink)

Instructions:

All 4v3 field players in end zone, GK is on or behind the baseline

Game objective it to get the ball from the end zone, to the base line, and back into the end zone.

Game starts when the pass is made to the GK

Back 4 open up, moving into a position so they can create passing options

Front 3 should aggressively press, and try and score ASAP in the full size goals if they win the ball.

Rotate waiting/spare players, or second set of 5v3 after 1 minute of play

Variation/Progression:

Time limit can be given for pressing front 3 players

Touch limits can be given

Adjust size of playing area as needed

Key Coaching Points:

Remind GK to call for the ball, and be on their toes ready to receive.

The "cue" to "open up", is "as the ball is being played back to the GK"

Time the passes

Sharp, quick movements are key

Make the field as wide and deep as possible

Player Coaching Points:

Players MUST: 

Played the ball with speed

Moved quickly

Head check

Opened up,

Be facing forward 

Calling for the ball.

Aggressive first touch away

Drive into end zone with speed

#2 & #5: 

Make the field wide and deep, to stretch the press

Lose your opponent by making "2 runs"

#3 & #4: 

Make a "nice" triangle, thats not too flat or pointy with the GK

Head check, so you know where the #9 is likely to press