Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Keep or Transfer

Setup & Description (60 mins)

Basic Concept:

- 8 v 4

- 3 teams (even numbers if possible).

- Endzone teams are in possession - objective is to keep the ball in their zone or transfer possession across to their opposite endzone team without losing possession to the central team.

- The central team starts out of possession and must attempt to regain possession by tackling, forcing a mistake or making interceptions.

- When possession is regained/lost, the central team and the team who lost possession swap zones.

- The game restarts.

Basic Conditions:

- Unlimited touches

- The Endzone teams are in possession but locked-in to their zones

- The Central team is out of possession - 1 player can press the ball 

Progressions & Challenges:

Alter number of players who can press

 - Increases realism

 - Increases the difficulty to retain possession.

 - Increases the difficulty & importance of covering behind the press.

Alter number of touches allowed by team/s or player/s in possession

 - Increases the difficulty

 - Increases the importance of adopting good body shape early

 - Increases the importance of quick thinking and movement

Introduce a minimum or maximum number of passes to be made before a transfer can be attempted.

 - Increases the importance of making good decisions on the ball.

 - Increases the need to be composed on the ball

Vary the objective:

 - Transfer over-the-top

 - Transfer in one touch

 - Transfer by stepping out with the ball when space permits

Combination Play & Finishing:

When a player successfully steps out with the ball and transfers the ball to the opposite endzone

 - Can they combine with a player in that zone then finish in the net?

Coaching Points:

In Possession

Be prepared for your next action

 - Get your body shape right

 - Be ready on your toes

 - Check your shoulders, paint a picture

Focus on your first touch

 - use it to setup your next touch
Be available

 - Quick movements

 - Disguised movements 

 - Timed movements

 - Communicate

Pass with purpose and thought

 - Go with or against the flow?

 - Play quickly or wait and draw defenders in?

 - Disguise the pass

 - Feet or Space?

Out of Possession:

Closest player/s presses

 - 1st player presses ball

 - 2nd player prepares to press the likely next pass

  - Time your press - stand off to encourage the pass then pounce!

Technique

 - Press quickly - be ready to put the brakes on - don't dive in.

 - Eyes on the ball 

 - Side on body shape

 - Low centre of gravity
 - Use your arms for balance, to increase your size and to communicate with your teammates 

Press with purpose

 - Arc your run towards the ball to cut off possible passes

 - Force mistakes

 - Exploit mistakes

 - Be aggressive 

Remaining players cover

- Predict the direction of play to position yourself to intercept attempted transfer passes AND close down any breakouts.

Stepping Out

When & Where

 - There's space available in front of you either between or to the outside of the opponents

 - Do you have enough time to transfer across without being stopped/closed down? If no, find a pass.

How

 - Quickly, be direct.

 - Take a big touch towards the space, get the ball out of your feet

End Product

  - who can you combine with?

 - Don't stop now! Keep going!