Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Pressure/cover/balance.

Juggling Warm-up (15 mins)

Organization:

1. One ball per pair.

2. Open space.

Instructions:

1. Players work in pairs.

2. Players look to build the sequence: one touch per player, two touches per player, three, and so on.

Coaching Points:

1. Foot-eye coordination.

2. Quality and weight of touch.

3. Movement to get behind ball.

4. Communication.

Progressions:

1. Each touch must be with a different side (i.e. alternate right and left).

Main Activity 2 (20 mins)

Organization:

3v3 to 2 goals and an end zone

Continuous play

Instructions:

Players can score in any goal at the end they are attacking or end zone

Coaching Points:

2nd Def provides cover for the space in behind the 1st defender.

3rd Def provides balance on far side while pinching in to stay connected

Always look to protect the high value end zone area

Angle and Distance of support depends on position, shape and attitude of 1st 2nd and 3rd attackers

Where are they on the field? Close to our goals? Far away?

Communicate

Can we use the side line as an extra defender?

What happens if/when 1st defender gets beat?

What happens to far defender if ball is on a sideline?

Progressions: