Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Receiving - Awareness and First Touch

Warm-up: Double Rondo (15 mins)

Organization:

1.Two 20 x 30 yard areas as shown

2.Two teams of 6 players

3.Lots of soccer balls with coach

Description:

1.The Coach passes a ball into each area, teams send two players into opposing half to play 4 v 2

2.Defending players attempt to steal ball and return it to their own area

3.If successful, play 6 v 2 with 2 soccer balls for as long as possible

4.Attacking team scores points for every pass completed when both soccer balls are in their own area

Coaching Points:

1.Speed of play

2.Importance of using 1st touch to move away from pressure

3.Keep the ball moving

4.Awareness of space

5.Combination play to keep defenders moving and unbalanced

Progression:

1.P - Add 3rd defender if attacking team keep both balls for a set period of time

2.R – Send only one player over to defend to play 5v1

3.R - Use only one ball. Possessing team gets a point if they complete 5 consecutive passes during the 6v2.

Four box game (25 mins)

Organization:

25x25 square. 4v4+2. 5yd boxes marked out in each corner.

Instructions:

The objective is to work the ball into a box for a point. Once you have scored in a box you must move to a new box. The game is live the whole time, no stoppages after a score.

(1) You score by dribbling into the box. (This is a more suitable starting point for younger ages.)

(2) P - First touch has to take you out of the box.

(3) P - Two players have to take a touch in the box. (This should encourage quick one-twos in the corners.)

(4) P - Balls in the air. Use blue cones to add a 3yd "lava zone" around each box. Balls can't touch down in the lava zone on their way into the box, a pass must be made in the air. (Balls can touch the lava zone on their way out of the box so that receivers can play to ground.)

Coaching Points:

Movement off the ball

Angles of support

Body open to see as much of the field as possible

(1)

Attack the space

Balls into space vs to feet

Runs in behind

(2)

Open body shape

Receive on back foot

Positive first touch

(3)

Look for the quick one-two

Timing of support runs

(4)

Look for the long change over the top

Progressions:

- 2- or 3-touch maximum