Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U11 Boys Indoor Training - Creating separation from the defender

3v0 or 3v1 (10 mins)

Organization:

- As many as needed, 6x6 yard grids or adjusted as needed

- 3v0 progressing to 3v1 in each grid, depending on numbers can be 4v1 or 4v2

Instructions:

- 3v1 rondo with active switching if the defender wins the ball. Every 5 passes equal a point for the attackers

- 2 minutes on, 20-30 seconds off, 4-5 times

- First few rounds with no restrictions, then varied with only 2 or 3 touches

Coaching Points:

- Body Shape. Can we receive across our body, opening up our hips to play both ways. How? Why?

- Good weight and accuracy of pass, targeting our teammates backfoot to allow them to open up and play either way. How? Why?

- Communication off the ball, verbal and nonverbal to instruct the passer or receiver

- Movement off the ball to support the first attacker. Where? Why?

- What kind of touch are we taking to receive and set up our next pass?

- How can we disguise our next pass?

- Can the first attacker drag the defender out of position to create space in behind?

2v2+2 (20 mins)

Organization:

- Space adjusted as needed

- 2v2+2

- Depending on odd numbers, can add a joker in the middle

Instructions:

- Players are trying to play from one target to the other, 2v2 in the middle. Can pass back to the target in buildup trying to penetrate through.

- If given the space, target players can pass through the middle to each other.

- 2:30-3 minutes on, 30 seconds rest and rotation of targets into the middle.

Coaching Points:

- Can our width drag the defenders outside to create an opportunity to penetrate down the middle?

- If defenders stay narrow, can our movement drag them or create space for third player to have opportunity to turn and play forward or to receive a pass behind the defenders to play through.

- Timing of our movement, where can we create space and how can we create space to play in behind/through?

- Communication verbal and nonverbal to give cues to our teammates on our actions and instructions on what needs to happen.

- When we have the ball, can we penetrate? If not, what next? When and why can we play it back?

- How can we commit the defender to one side, or to one player to create space for a teammate?

- How can we lose our marker off the ball to play in behind?

- Looking long to be able to play short.

- Weight of the pass, body shape when receiving unopposed or opposed, what is the difference?

---

- When we lose the ball, how can we win it back immediately?

- When we lose the ball, where do we want to force it? How?

- Press or retreat/delay?

- Get compact immediately

- Communication

- When we win the ball how can we allow ourselves the best opportunity to open up while maintaining possession?

- Shape when we win vs when we lose