Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): TSS Academy - opening up/receiving side-on

Technical - opening up & receiving on back foot (15 mins)

Technical - opening up/receiving side-on. 3 players, 1 worker & 2 target players. Worker receives ball played from left side to receive with their right foot (back foot). Work for 45 seconds and switch the worker. Let all players practice, then race. If groups of 4, have them play a long pass & go support in middle, opening up to both targets, and playing back to same end they started at. Don't change ends, stay on same side. If groups of 5, can pass around a square or have passing lines in groups of 5, just like what I have described for groups of 4.

Instruction points :

- reinforce all passing/receiving points, especially "toe up/heel down" to receive.

- prepare feet to receive by being on balls of feet, not on heels

- open up early, last 2-3 steps should have hips/shoulders open to both targets

- don't turn back on the ball. Always be able to see the ball

- take touch in direction you are trying to play & pass with same foot you receive with

- scan (shoulder-check)

SSG - 4v4+2 targets game (25 mins)

4v4+2 targets SSG. Points scored by playing from 1 target to the other. Each time the ball tarvels to a target is an opportunity to open body up quickly to see both targets. Talk about how a little shift in feet can open up field of vision to entire space, not just a portion of it. If it gets too difficult to play, allow targets to play through on ground to one another for 1 point, 3 points for playing through the middle.

Instruction points :

- passing/receiving points

- back foot receiving

- 1st touch away from pressure/direction you are trying to play to

- be open to both targets as much as possible

- opening hips/shoulders allows for better decisions to be made (field of vision)

- scan environment often (shoulder checking)

SSG - 4v4+2 targets both directions (25 mins)