Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Passing, Receiving, and Speed of Play

Show For the Ball 2

Show for the Ball Progression

Same action as before except now after showing for the return ball on an angle and receiving it across the body, we will pretend that there is pressure and the player can't receive and turn. Now they play the ball with the front foot, outside or toe, back to the outside passer. Then immediately show for the ball on the other side.

Progress by taking a outside passer off and making them the pressuring player on the field. They are not to tackle but look for opportunities to pressure players receiving the return passes. If no pressure then player should receive open body and move on.

Another option is for the coach to hold up two pinnies of different color. One represents turn, the other no turn. Player should be looking over their shoulder on that return pass and the outside player is open to the field already.

Possession Game with Increasing Pressure

Possession with increasing pressure.

Now it's a game. One team (Blue) are the team in the Moment of In Poss and start dispersed around the grid. The Out Poss team (Red) start off the grid, in a line, close to coach.

The blue team are trying to connect passes.

5 passes = 1 goal + each pass after the 5 = 1 goal.

Passes must be counted aloud.

The passes must be continuous without interruption.

After the first pass, one defender may enter the field each time a pass is completed.

The count is reset as are the defenders if;

a. the ball goes out of bounds or

b. the ball is intercepted and controlled by the defenders completing at least 2 passes before dribbling it out of bounds or passing to coach.

Play for predetermined amount of time.

Keep score.

Switch roles of teams.

Defenders may need to be restricted in the beginning to only blocking passes and no tackling.

If the abstract nature of the movements is too much, playing from end zone to end zone can give more structure.

Increase and decrease speed of play with unlimited thru 1 touch restrictions. If they could handle alternating in the previous exercise, introduce the idea of rhythm. 2,2,1 or 3.2.1. or 1,2,1,2..

Coaching points for this session include; Speed of play/# of touches, passing with pace, 1st touch, body shape, taking looks constantly, playing the way you face - face the way you want to play, giving angles of support, Principles of Attack, Can you take advantage of the transition period when the defenders and count are reset?

Def/Out Poss coaching points: make play predictable, work together, communicate freely, can you find opportunities to apply a double team? If getting caught in transition at resets, is there a better way to organize so that they don't get a bunch of free passes?

7v7 in Passing Pattern Shape

7v7 in Passing Pattern Shape

2-3-1

Unrestricted