Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Corner Pocket

Corner Pocket Game

Setup:

• Grid maybe 12x12 but can adjust as needed. Needs to be big enough for space to try to beat players
• 2 teams, 3 players per team (can add more as needed, but 3 per team is the perfect amount to avoid long wait to play)
  • So for a team of 12 players, set up two of these to run at same time.

Activity:

• 1v1 to the corners.
• Attackers try to beat defender and pass ball into their teammate, who then attacks same defender going the other way.
• Defenders try to dispossess the attacker and get the ball to one of their corners to get their team attacking.
• 1 point for each time the ball moves from one corner to the other.
• If ball is played out, coach plays ball into other team

Progressions:

• Give corners freedom to move laterally a certain distance to create passing angles. This is a great way to demonstrate how much easier the game is when your teammates move to create angles.
• Allow drop passes to the corner from which you came, to combine with ("drop and pop")
• Allow player receiving drop pass to then attack 1v1
• Can then progress to allowing 2v1

Coaching Points:

• 1v1 defending components
  • Delay dribbler - close down quickly
  • Don't dive - keep feet shuffling
  • Drive - push dribbler one direction
• 1v1 attacking components
  • The setup: drive at the defender
  • The move: use disguise
  • The play-away: change speed and direction
  • Create enough space to play the ball into teammate