Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Receive straight pass/ Diagonal

Technical Repitions

Organization:

20x10 yd areas

- 4 players per group, 2 in each color set up as shown, all players have a ball except the first player in blue who will receive first

Instructions:

- player in blue checks off the endline into the middle of the area to receive pass from first player in white

- player in blue receives ball and turns to dribble back to starting line

- as receiving player turns and dribbles back, the player in white that passed the ball now checks into the middle to receive a pass from the next player in blue, turns with ball and dribbles back to line

- rotation is continued for 2 minute rounds

Coaching Points:

- timing of run and pass to receive the ball in the middle of the area

- sideways body position to receive

- check back shoulder to observe space before receiving

- receive with the back foot, touch out of feet into space

- speed and quality of next action

Progressions:

1 - use one ball per group, receiving player turns and plays pass to next player in line

2 - player behind holds up 0-5 fingers, player receiving the ball must call out that number as they are receiving

3 - Introduce more complex techniques to turn

1v1 Conditioned Game

Organization:

20x10 yd areas, with small goals on each endline

4 players set up as shown, extra balls behind each endline

Instructions:

- 1v1 in central area, 1 target on each end

- target player with the ball plays into his teammate in the central area, defender must allow attacking player to have the first touch on the ball

- receiving player attempts to turn with the ball and play into target on opposite side; second option is to receive the ball and play back to the same player

- alternate service from each side for two minutes

- 3pts for turning and scoring at opposite target, 1pt for receiving then playing back to the same target (pass cannot be 1-touch), defender scores 1pt for stealing the ball and playing into either target, 0pts if the ball is played out of bounds

Coaching Points:

- create space to receive with movement away from the ball before checking back into space

- sideways body position ready to receive

- check shoulder to observe position of the defender

- choose which foot to receive with based on the position of the defender

- try to roll the defender if they get tight and over-commit to the ball

Progressions:

1 - defender does not need to allow attacker to have the first touch on the ball, can attempt to intercept the pass