Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Attacking through zone 14

Function: Set Up

Function: Playing through Zone 14 with 4 MF, Lone Striker and Withdrawn Striker

Organisation

Split players into two teams - 6 blue and 7 red players in each team; one red to act as server, one blue to play in goal;

Use half a pitch and mark zone 14 on the pitch area using cones;

Create 2 coned goals on the half way line. Blue team to be instructed to try to score in either coned goal within 8 seconds of obtaining possession.

Play always resumes with red server, as illustrated.

Red team to be coached.

Aim

Red team to play the ball into Zone 14 to create as many scoring opportunities as possible.

Function: Effect 8 (10 mins)

Effect Red 6 & 8

Can the Red 6 & 8 create space to receive the ball from the server? enticing deep blue MF out of Zone 14 to pick one of them up? Can they move away from each other to make it more difficult for blue deep MF to mark both of them?

Can either the Red 6 or 8 distribute the ball to Red 10 or 9? Trigger? Bump back and as they sprint forward can he release the ball to them? Or if they switch - can he release the ball quickly as they create space?

Can Red 6 or 8 assist Red 9 or 10 by communiacting as he plays the ball to them - 'man on' or 'turn'?

If Red 9 and 10 move away from each other, is enough space crreated to enable Red 6 or 8 to join Zone 14 by dribbling? or playing a 1-2 with Red 9 or Red 10?

Can the Red 6 or 8 create space for Red 9 or 10 by occupying the Blue DM? Trying to draw Blue DM out of Zone 14?

What if Red 6 or 8 is tightly marked? Can he move away from zone 14 taking Blue DM with him? But be ready to support Red 9 or 10 should the ball be played into them by Red 7 or 11 by sprinting forward to try to lose his marker?

What if Red 6 or 8 plays the ball to Red 9 or 10 who can't turn? Can he move into Zone 14 to create space for a return pass?

What if Red 9 and 10 are tightly marked? Can Red 6 or 8 play the ball out to 7 or 11 with the aim of them playing the ball into Zone 14, and Red 6 or 8 then moving into a position to receive the ball off Red 9 or 10?

After Red 6 or 8 plays the ball into Red 9 or 10, can he move into a position to asist the attack within Zone 14?

See above example - Red 8 passes to Red 7, and as he does so, Red 9 moves to edge of Zone 14 to receive pass off Red 7; as Red 7 plays the ball to Red 9, Red b moves into a position within Zone 14 to receive pass inside.

If Blue FB's tuck in & play narrow and deny space in Zone 14 keep playing the ball to Red 7 & 11. This will hopefully draw the FB's out and create space for 8, 9 & 10.

What if Red 6 or 8 enters Zone 14 to join the attack? What should the remaining red 6 or 8 do? provide cover centrally?

Small Sided Game (25 mins)

Organisation

Split players into two teams -reds and yellows.  Red team to be coached. 

Red team to play 2-4-1-1; yellow team to play 4-3-1

Instructions

Red team can only score by playing the ball through Zone 14.  If yellow team obtain possession, they must try to score within 6 passes;

Yellows must have a shot after 6 passes;

Coaching points

Reinforce individual points made during the course of the above function.

Phase 1

Work with 9 and 10. We dont want them on train tracks, split the pitch in the middle visually.

Get the ball from the back. 4/8 split wide to allow ball to be played through. Create angles, one go to ball, other into space to join in attack. 9 stays on the side of the ball, 10 goes diagonally.

If CB drives in then 8 or 4 drop in top keep it 2 v 1.

Phase 2

Trigger for the 4 or 8 is when the ball is played past them. Only 1 goes, the other sits in and plays the holding role.

Phase 3

Wide men, starting point is high and touchline wide.