Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Saturday 5th May - Microcycle 49 - Building Out

WU - Astroids

Warm Up Activity

Astroids

Set Up

Circle 25 Diameter. 4/6 Footballs.

Practice

Two players enter the centre circle. Remaining players set up equally around outside.

Outside players pass the ball through the circle, with the aim to hit the two central players below the waist.

Central players must dodge the ball.

If pair get hit, new pair enter the circle.

Key Points

Quick Feet

Dodging / Evasive Movements

Double movements to deceive outer players

Outer Players to play 2/3 touch. Keep ball low to increase chance of hitting central players.

Progressions

Central Players must link arms

Central Players may only move by hopping or jumping.

Make circle smaller or bigger depending on success rate.

Session concludes with 1x4 x 30 Sprint activity

TD - Space Recognition

Space Recognition:

Set Up:

Large Oval shape as outside area (app.25m diameter)

3-5 teams of 3 depending on numbers (9-15 players)

1 in the middle and other 2 outside

Practice:

Player on outside passes into central player who turns and lays off to other teammate outside.

Central player must make another angle to receive on half turn to play back to inital player

Outside players must move once they pass the ball to work the area

Each central player will perform 4 turns before switching with an outside player

Each team must attempt to allow the ball to flow between switching players

Key Points:

Technique of turn

Choice of turns

Angle and speed of approach

Glancing over the shoulder

Communication

Movement before, during and after receiving the ball

Quality of touch and pass of all players

Recognising triggers (Progressions)

Progressions:

1. Player on outside must perform a turn before playing ball back into central player

2. Central players 1st touch on turn must take him into central circle (8-10yd diameter)

3. Player can choose 1st touch into area or move into area after lay off, (alternate)

4. Remove central area, adding 2 seperate areas near edge of practice (central players must now use whole area, allowing more space to turn with less interference)

5. After central player turns and lays off, he must switch with other player by dropping out and passer moving in, continuing rotation

6. Trigger work - If player on outside turns out, central player swaps with other teammate, if not, then stays in for next pass

SSG - In The Zone

Small Sided Game

In The Zone

Set Up

4v4 - 8v8 Game

Practice

Players are allocated zones in which they must play. If a player breaks out of their zone, a free kick is awarded to the other team.

As the game progresses, players are allowed to enter multiple zones.

Key Points

Team to create space to keep possesion

Body position of individual players to receive the ball and support play

Try to play around opponents with speed and accuracy.

Decision regarding the type of pass, movement to benefit the strategy of the team

Angle & Distance of support of players to develop play

Movement on & off the ball

The defending team must:

-Apply Pressure on the ball

-Cover & support to stop the ball being played behind / in between the team

-Make recovery runs

-Track players where possible

-Communicate

Quick Transition from attack to defence & vice versa

Session concludes with physio led flexibility cool down,

Progressions

Game Condition - Only one team is restricted to zones, other team can play freely

Game Condition - Player can enter a new zone if they pass the ball into that zone.