Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): 18: Midfield Play

E1: Drill (10 mins)

Time: 10 Minutes

Set Up:

-Grid of 30x30 with 7 stations placed within the grid.

-Place stations no closer that 10 yards away from each other.

-Place players on each station with excess at 1.

Exercise:

-Play starts at station 1.

-Players pass and move in number order.

-Once ball at 7 that person plays it back to 1 via the gap between 4 and 6 and then player waiting moves back to 1 and goes.

-If a large excess at 1 use several balls to keep exercise moving.

-Play for 4 minutes.

-After 4 minutes change sequence to work from 7 then backwards to 1 and back to 7 via gap between 3 and 5.

Key Points:

-Movement off at angles from the stations.

-Pace of the pass.

-Touch of the player receiving into the direction they ae playing a pass next.

E3: SSG (30 mins)

Time: 30 Minutes

Set Up:

-18 yard to 18 yard box the width of the 18 yard and using outer areas for wing backs.

-Alternatively a 60x40 and an additional 10 yard wide channel.

-Players split into 2 teams.

-GK, CB, WB's, 3xMC (or 2 and a 10), CF.

Exercise:

-Play as per match rules with coach serving ball in to start and whenever ball out of play.

-No goal kicks, throw ins or corners.

-Play 3x8 minute spells alternating any spare players as necessary.

-Or switch players roles within teams.

Condtions:

-Wing backs play on outside only, with others inside.

-Each team striker must stay in opposition teams half.

-Coach will serve ball randomly into play in any area despite which team had possession.

Key Points:

-Movement of the midfield players to get in possession and launch attacks.

-Transition from attack to defence when out of possession.