Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Working on creating overloads, switching play quickly and attacking third play

1.1) 3v2 (10 mins)

Method:

 Drill1) 3v2. Coach feeds first ball in. Aim is to score in either of two goals you are attacking into. Find a way to break down opposition. Dynamic runs to draw out defender to create space behind for a third man run. Manipulate the defenders from side to side to find the best option to score. 

 Drill2) 3v3. Same principles as the 3v2 but this time its more difficult with equal number of players. Dynamic runs. Timing of runs and passing choice all very important in breaking down the defence.  

Coaching Points: 

> Attackers be dynamic. Utilise the overload in the 3v2.

>  Draw players out. This will be useful when playing Ireland as there defenders and wing backs leave themselves vulnerable to an overload and defenders get easily drawn out with dynamic movements. At the same time there are moments where it is 3v3 but Ireland defenders  

2.1) Attacking Phases with finishing (10 mins)

Method: 

> Two phases of play. First phase, attacking player checks off mannequin on edge of box. Player 1 takes a touch and plays ball through to the attacking player that just checked off. 

> The attacking player shoots then turns and receives a ball from player two starting the second phase. The attacking player sets the ball to player two who plays the ball ahead of the wide player. 

> The central players involved in this play make dynamic runs into box (front, middle, back).

>  Wide player try pick a player out and deliver.

>  Once this phase is done, next players can start exact same phases on the left side.  

Coaching Points: 

> In the first phase we are working on midfield pass through to the attacking player who separates themselves from there defender with dynamic movement off the mannequin. 

> In the second phase we are working on the attacking player showing off the line and drawing the defender out and creating some space behind. 

> The player who initiates the second phase gives support under the ball to be able to play the ball wide into the path of the winger. All these movements and passes will be transferable into the game against Ireland.     

3) SSG Switch of play with overload (20 mins)

Method: 

> 4v4 that turns into a 7v4 when attacking. 

> The ball always starts at the goal by the halfway line. 

> One blue player plays it to one of the opposite 4 players. 

> Going off this picture, the yellow bibs would attack the goal by the halfway line. They must use both the wide players in white who only have one touch before shooting. By setting this rule, the players in yellow must move the ball quick while also following and supporting the play. This will get the players thinking about a quick switch of play while the defending team is shuffling across to one side. 

> Defending team can press/engage the wide player. If the defending team wins it bak then they can go straight to goal. Wide players are locked into that area. Only one defender can enter that area to defend the player. 

Coaching Points:

>  Support behind the ball for option to switch. 

> Players to occupy between defenders to give defenders decision to hold central spaces or go with another player and get drawn out. 

> Switch play quickly. Can we skip out a pass to get the ball to opposite side quicker.