Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): ITSC green strikers(possession)

Main Theme 1 (25 mins)

Organization:

1. 15x15 yard area

2. 7 players - 4 attackers and 2 defenders (set up as shown)

3. 1 ball

Instructions:

1. The attacking team plays 4v3

2. Three players operate on the outside of the area and one player inside the area

3. The attacking team attempts to keep the ball away from the three defenders

4. Defenders are not allowed outside the area to tackle

5. The objective for the attacking group is to try and find the central play to combine with

6. If the defending team wins the ball they play 3v1 inside the area

7. Play for a set time limit before rotating defending players

Coaching Points:

1. Keep the ball moving to stretch the two defending players

2. Outside player should focus on body position as when controlling the ball - hips open to play in multiple directions

3. Central player should focus on timing when checking to the ball and the ability to play first time

4. Angles and distance of support from all attacking players is key to maintaining possession

Progressions:

1. Allow defending players to tackle outside players

2. Two touch limit on the outside

3. One touch limit on the inside

Main Theme 3 (25 mins)

Organization:

1. 30x30 yard area

2. 14 players - 8 attackers and 5 defenders (set up as shown)

3. 1 ball

Instructions:

1. Six attacking players are positioned on the outside of the area and two in the center.

2. Five defenders attempt to win the ball, defenders can tackle players on the outside

3. If the defending team wins the ball they play 5v3 on the inside of the area

4. Objective for the attacking team is to combine using the central player

Coaching Points:

1. Shape from central players - one player should check to the ball the other looks to stretch

2. Passes should be made quickly on the outside to help unbalance defenders centrally

3. Players on the inside should look to combine quickly by playing first time

4. All players should focus on body shape and the quaility of their first touch

Progressions:

1. Inside players are not permitted to play back to the same outside player - forces them to open up and play in a new direction

2. Two touch limit on the outside

3. Reduce area size to 20x20