Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Playing Forward

Technical Phase - Semi-Opposed

Organization:

1. 50x30 area split into two 25x15 areas.

2. 3yd endzones.

3. 16 players (8 in each grid).

4. Plenty of balls.

Instructions:

1. Two grids working at same time.

2. Two teams of four per grid.

3. Each team with two players in middle and two targets/servers in endzones.

4. Each team with a ball.

5. Objective: teams look to play ball from one endzone to opposite endzone.

6. Ball must travel through middle players.

7. Players rotate roles after 2-3 minutes.

Coaching Points:

1. Connection - visual (eye contact, hand gesture) and verbal ("feet," "through," "set," and so on).

2. Movement off the ball - provide support.

3. Angles and distance of support.

4. Weight and accuracy of pass.

5. Direction and quality of first touch.

Progressions:

1.Include touch max/min.

a) One touch: to encourage double pass,

b) Two touch: to encourage opening up and playing forward.

2. Take away a ball. Teams play 2v2 in middle.

Tactical Phase

Organization:

1. Two thirds of the field as shown.

2. Two counter goals at ends.

3. Plenty of balls by regulation goal.

4. 8v6 (end 8v8).

Instructions:

1. White team defends regulation goal and attacks small counter goals.

2. Blue team defends counter goals and attacks regulation goal.

3. White team can also score by passing into blue target player at end line.

4. Blue team can use target player as support to maintain possession.

5. Ball always restarts from GK unless otherwise specified by coach.

Coaching Points:

1. Movement of 2 and 3 to open central passing lane - get high and wide.

2. Movement of 4 and 5 to support - stay short but move wide to occupy space vacated by 2 and 3.

3. Movement of 6 and 8 - staggered, angled, into space to use passing lane opened by back line.

4. Ability of 6 and 8 to play under/over the ball.

5. Ability of 6 and 8 to connect with 10, get forward, and distribute wide.

6. Transition - when losing possession (get shape); when winning possession (quick counter).

Progressions:

1. Allow target player to enter field of play for blue team.

2. Add another blue player to play 8v8. The two new players for blue team act as 2 (or 4) and 3 (or 5).