Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Develop combination play between MF4 and 2 Strikers

Function (10 mins)

Key Factors

Reds set up with 2 CB and 2 CM.

Blues set up with 2 CM and 2 ST.

Blues attempt to score in main goal, reds into the server (black).

Reds must have 2 in each zone (split by red line) until the ball has travelled across at which point 1 red can track a blue CM. Other must stay (blues defensive balance).

Blue 10 can drop in to receive (between red CMs).

Blue 6 or 8 can enter opposite third to make third man runs.

Points

Points for both teams will be handed out (attached below session plan). Both teams have challenges to complete during the function and SSG. By completeing each challenge, you gain the set amount of points.

Progression

Introduce wide players including FB's. (set them a task task whilst off the pitch). Highlighting opportunities to make inverted runs,and when to peel off out wide.

Highlight combinations that can be created with central players. Throughout function, make CM & ST aware of wide players' movement.

Coaching Points:

Blues

10's position to receive. Letting the pass break the line (receive beyond the line).

9 then on oppostie lines. Play into feet or through (triggers' from opposition CB's).

8 & 6 work closey together. Opposite lines are important. Angles and distances once ball is received.

9 playing on a CB or between them both. advantages: can create a direct overload on one CB, getting the CB's to make more decsions and aware of 9s' position.

Reds

Important to maintain shape for realism for the blues.

Naturally screen forward players and communicate as a pair.

Timeline

Timeline:

1-3 mins - Intro session,(use of tactics board) allocation of positions, hand out challenges and tasks, and required players for first activity.(central players)

Intervention: Allocate time for all players to understand challenges.

4-8 mins - 1st part of the function is delivered, with the wide players carrying out the task (use of reflective task cards). To investigate when, where and why to play inside or outside and make inverted runs. Intervention: Start with a guided discovery approach, leading from that into a Q & A / Inqury based approach. HIghlighting patterns of play through the challenges set.

9-13 mins - 2nd Progression to function. Introduction of wide players having reflected on the strikers and CB's movement. Intervention: Let the play run for a 1 min, obseve what the wide players have reflected on. Coach what you see throguh an I.B. approach for the last couple of mins.

13-14 - transition to SSG. Introduce 2 red STR, and 2 blue CB's.

15-28 - SSG in line with function outcomes from wide players, CM's, and WMF's.

29-30 - Debrief and reflction on personal roles and targets.