Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Blocked and variable practices and SSG for passing

Blocked practice - passing (10 mins)

Organisation:

Players in pairs with a ball between each pair.

Cones placed 1-2 metres apart

Drill (blocked):

Players pass the ball back and forth to each other. Focusing on technique of passing accurately through the cones to their partner.

Key points:

Players to stay 'on their toes' ready to move into the line of the ball and control it

Passing with the side of your foot

Progressions:

Make the passes longer

Make the cone distances smaller to make the passes be more accurate

One touch passing

SSG - passing and possession (10 mins)

Organisation:

Use a playing area approximately 20x30 metres, but this can be amended dependant upon the number of players or their ability.

In this game, I have shown 4 v 4, which is ideal with younger players.

If you have a goalkeeper, this is an added extra. You can do this game with or without a goalkeeper.

Game:

Essentially this is 4 v 1; 4 v 2; 4 v 3 then 4 v 4. The focus of the coaching is on the team in possession of the ball.

One team have all four players ready in their half of the pitch. They are given the ball by a coach. Once they receive the ball, one of the opposition team come out to try and win possession from them. This creates a 4 v 1. Play a normal game for 30 seconds or until either the team of 4 score or lose possession.

After this, it progresses into exactly the same game, but this time two defenders come out to try and win possession from the team of 4.

This continues until it becomes a 4 v 4, then the teams switch over.

Key points / progressions:

- Specify a number of passes must be made before the team of 4 can attempt to score

- Encourage good communication and getting into a position to receive the ball in space

- Accurate passing

- Weight of passing