Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Passing thru ball

Warm Up (10 mins)

Organization:

Full field, 14 players (6 pairs, 2 defenders), 10 gates, 6 soccer balls

Instructions:

- Players in pairs pass their ball through as many gates as possible within an allocated time frame.

- Two defenders attempt to win a soccer ball and score in any of the four small goals.

- Attacking winner = pair that passes through the most gates.

- Defending winner = defender that scores the most goals.

Coaching Points:

1. Pre-Action:

- Mentality (pass and move, high tempo, speed of thought)

- Movement off the ball to identify / create space and open passing lanes

- Selection of appropriate receiving technique (inside, outside, stall, first-touch-no-touch, etc)

- Selection of appropriate passing technique (inside, driven, curled, lofted, etc)

2. Action:

- Angle and distance of preparation touch

- Weight, angle, timing, trajectory and shape of pass

3. Post-Action:

- Mentality (pass and move, high tempo, speed of thought)

- Movement off the ball to identify / create space and open passing lanes

- Provide effective supporting angles for 1st attacker

Progressions:

- Increase number of defenders

Conditioned Play (15 mins)

Organization:

2 fields, 4 teams of 3 players, 2 netural players, 2 small goals per field, 2 soccer balls

Instructions:

- Teams score a point by successfully scoring into the opposition goal.

Coaching Points:

1. Pre-Action:

- Mentality (pass and move, high tempo, speed of thought)

- Movement off the ball to identify / create space and open passing lanes

- Selection of appropriate receiving technique (inside, outside, stall, first-touch-no-touch, etc)

- Selection of appropriate passing technique (inside, driven, curled, lofted, etc)

2. Action:

- Angle and distance of preparation touch

- Weight, angle, timing, trajectory and shape of pass

3. Post-Action:

- Mentality (pass and move, high tempo, speed of thought)

- Movement off the ball to identify / create space and open passing lanes

- Provide effective supporting angles for 1st attacker

Progressions:

- Introduce touch limit

- Minimum number of passes before scoring

- Number of passes completed upon goal scored, equals number of points