Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Playing in and around the box

Screen 1

Organisation:

Play 4vs4 in 20X36 yrds grid

Instructions:

Two teams compete in central areas after coach (yellow) feed ball to attackers (Blacks) who attempt to score in goals. Play stop when ball is out of the grid, when goalkeeper save a shot or/and when defending team recovers the ball under control.

Note that the defending team starting point must be just outside the 18yrd box and first pass to attacker is unopposed.

Rotations:

Rotation of players should be clockwise so when Red team (attackers) score, they stay as attackers. Blue team move to Green team position, Yellows become immediate defenders vacating space to Green players.

When Black team (attackers) fail to score, then Reds become attackers playing against Yellows. Meanwhile, Blacks switch place with Pinks who must travel quickly to space left by Yellow team.

Note that transitions on and off the pitch must be quick and it is imperative players travel outside the marked playing area clockwise.

Coaching points:

-Quick shooting and finishing when opportunities come up.

-Encourage 1vs1 or quick combination to set upt shots

- Rebounds and following up shots

-Limited touches to maintain good tempo

"EBI"

-When the ball is in central attacking player, the two wingers should make the space as big as possible to open channels to play through when full backs are dragged into wide areas, or if defenders decide to stay compact centrally, then the ball can be played wide.

- When the ball is in a wide attacking player, 1vs1 should be encourage. However central attacking player should provide an explosive run towards central defender to make himself available for a quick 1-2 combination play or attempt to dragg direct opponent to the strong side (where the ball is coming from), so there is open space to opposite winger to receive a nice through ball.

Observations:

Passing should be a secondary option inside the 18yrd box.

Screen 3

Organisation:

Play 8vs8 (+2GKs)

- Movement of the striker into the safe zone to receive the pass and outcome

- Movement of midfield players to overlap into the final third to link up and produce end products

- Suck defender in and play around them

- Movement and angles to pass and receive

- Penetration

- Disguise-

- Dispersal

- Combination play to set up shooting opportunity

- Recognise where defenders are

- Can you combine with teammates and get a shot

- 1 touch play to open up the defence

- Awareness of others when finishing

- Movement and angles to pass and receive