Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Spreading play out wide

Screen 1

Organisation

Technique drill for passing and spreading the ball across pitch

• 14 Players split into 2 groups. In each group player A passes the ball into player B who is running in from their starting cone. On receiving the ball player B has to turn in either direction and pass the ball out to player C. On the next go the ball will be fed from player C to B, who will then pass it out to player A.
• Players are to stay in their positions of A, B or C and rotate in turn for a set amount of time such as 2 minutes, players will then swap areas so each player has a turn in positions A,B and C 

Key factors

Mechanics of passing - 

1. Look at target

2. Eye on ball
3. Angle of approach
4. Non-kicking foot alongside ball in a
comfortable position
5. Strike Centre of ball with inside /
outside of foot (Identified area of the ball)
6. Firm ankle
7. Follow through towards target

Mechanics of turning - 

1. Eye on the ball
2. Decision,
Change of Direction
3. Contact with surface
(if required) or feint.
4. Head Up
5. Low Centre of gravity
(balance)
6. Change of Direction
7. Acceleration into Space

• Players to move quickly to replicate intent of a game situation

Progression, Regression, Adaptations

Players to only take 2 touches before passing, players can move closer to target with the ball for a shorter pass as a regression. 

Screen 3

Organisation

• Small side game
• 2 keepers stay on the pitch. 3 teams of 4 outfield players to play small sided games for a set time or goal target. The team that are not playing are split so they have 2 players on each touchline. 
• The team in possession can then use these players to add width and maintain possession of the ball
• This encourages players on the pitch to spread the ball out wide instead of attacking through the middle.
• Once target time or goal target has elapsed then the team on the sidelines replace one of the teams.
• This could be in a format of winner stays on or to ensure equal game time, teams can be rotated and points awarded for a win, loss or draw and tallied up at end of time to see who the overall winning team are

Key factors

• Players are encouraged to spread the ball out wide and use the players off the pitch to stretch the opposition
• Intensity is to be maintained as games will be short and short such as first to 3 goals, or swap teams after 2 minutes 

Progression, Regression and Adaptation

• Maximum number of passes allowed before ball goes out wide, 1 player each side could be removed, 2 goals could be awarded if ball came from a wide player off pitch

Learning outcomes

• Players to understand the concept and reasoning of spreading the play out wide
• Players to have performed the mechanics ofpassing and turning during the session
• Players to have performed the act of spreading the ball out wide during the session
• Players to have been challenged to a level of their ability