Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Coaching The Four Moments

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Setup: 3 teams of 4 players. 25x35 field with 4 small goals along the sidelines. (Adjust accordingly for numbers, age/skill. For example, with 10 players you can have 3 teams of 3 with a neutral field player on a smaller 20x30 field.)

Instructions: One team defends (gray) while one team attacks (blue) with the support of the third team (green) for an overall 8v4 advantage. Green sets up with two end targets plus two roaming field players. Attacking team scores by receiving possession from one end target and delivering it to the other end target (as shown). If defending team wins the ball they can score by shooting on any of the 4 goals. All restarts are with an end target playing to the attacking team. Switch attacking/defending teams after 3 minutes, then after the 6 minute game rotate which team is the supporting third team.

P - If the skill is high enough, have green set up with two end targets on each side so the field players are in a 4v4 even matchup.

Coaching Points: Coach the four moments of the game.

(1) We have the ball

- Movement: check to, check wide

- Find the gaps, make split passes

- Possess v. penetrate: when to reset, when to switch

- Communicate

(2) We don't have the ball

- Stay compact

- Pressure/cover/balance

(3) We just lost the ball

- Counterpress to win it back

- Take away the next pass (i.e. block the small goals)

(4) We just won the ball

- Release it quickly (i.e. shoot on an open goal)