Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U15's - Breaking Lines/Playing through the thirds

Technical

Unopposed 

This is an unopposed passing and receiving practice related to the topic of playing through the thirds.

To begin with the middle player will receive the ball in between the lines of the poles in an open body position to then quickly transfer the ball to the other side. This will be done in 3x2 min blocks then players are to rotate the middle player. 

After all blocks are done we will progress to the next picture...

Breaking lines 20 mins (20 mins)

Breaking Lines 

 Playing through / around / over. Understand when and how to play through, around or over the opposition based on the type of pressure applied.

- Area size - 24x16m with a half way line.

- 4 v 4 with the 5 common players ( yellow ).

Explanation

The aim is for the blue team to transfer the ball from one end of the pitch to the other using the yellow common players to score a goal.

- The team in possession of the ball can use the yellow common players to create a 7v4 overload. This game is directional, one team playing one way and the other team playing the other way.

To begin with, the team out of possession can not tackle, they can press, intercept, block etc but are acting as passive. This will then be taken off after 2/3 minutes depending on the success of the breaking lines objective.

I will work with ONE team only - EG work with the blues here to maintain possession and the reds are managed by Kev to be realistic in the way they press the ball and defend.

When the reds are in possession they still work towards the main principle of the session which is breaking lines / in possession and the blues would work to the sub principle which is to defend narrow, prevent split passes, force the play wide.

Conditions, Challenges & Targets

1. Teams get 3 points for playing through the lines, 2 for playing around and 1 for playing over. 

2. Play must now go through the middle yellow player.

3. Challenge teams in a time limit to achieve all 3 principles of breaking lines - Can they go through, around and over in a set time. I may need to adjust the area size and make it slightly bigger to allow balls over the top - They can not play from the yellow end player to the other end play in one pass.

4. Limit touches of team in possession.

5. On the 3rd pass the ball must be played forward ( can not play back ) - Can adjust the number of passes based on age and ability

6. Depending on the way the session is going I may decide to include all yellow players - The wide ones are now in play in order to play around. They would be managed with a countdown to ensure realism. 

In possession:

Try to play through around or over the opposition

-Make the pitch big (Width and Depth)

-Use limited touches and move the ball quickly

-Try to play in areas that allow you to see three corners of the pitch.

-Look to play forward whenever possible

Out of possession:

-Defend narrow

-Prevent split passes

-Force the play wide

-Protect the space in behind

Interventions:

Concurrent

Terminal

Walk Through

Coaching Process