Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Developing Midfield Players

Warm Up

Organisation

Groups of 4.

10 x 10 grids.

Throw-volley-catch

How to Play

One player starts with the ball and serves (by hand) to any other player.

Receiving player volleys to a different player.

Players should be on the move at all times.

Coaching Points Raised

"Punch" the volley, don't just let it hit your foot.

Meet the ball (poor service).

Progressions

Vary service (bounce it in, spin it in, loop it in).

Use different body parts to volley the pass.

Use different parts of the foot.

If there is a team mate in the way, loop the volley over his head.

Game within the Practice.

This part of the session was not delivered due to time constraints, but was spoken about as a way to utilise more players and add to the challenge - therefore this is MY interpretation and ideas of how it could be used.

Organisation

Area size as previous screen.

2 groups pass and follow around the outside of the area as previous.

How to Play

Inside the area, play a 3v3 or 4v4 possession game.

Allocate a team to one of the teams on the outside (e.g. Greens play with Reds, Grey with Blue).

The outside players can "call" a team mate from the inside to assist with the bounce pass.

The inside players can also use the outside players to help them keep possession.