Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): 3v3 Transition

Animation 1

Organization: 25x20 yard grid (adjust if needed), one goal on each side, 2 teams of 9, cones to designate half line (yellow cones), balls should be split evenly between the teams and on the cone that is on the same side as their half line attacker

Description: Play begins with one of the teams starting with ball and playing 3v3 to small goals. Must be past half to score.  Once the ball is out of play (in the goal, over the end line, over the sideline), 3 new players will enter the field with a new ball from the half it went out on to replace their teammates.  Example: If the ball goes out of bounds on the Red team's defensive half, 3 new Red players will come onto the field with the existing Red players running off.  The game will continue in this transitional state of players entering and exiting during the play until a time limit or score limit is reached. Quick punishment for losing team.  

Coaching Points:

- Find the free player forward as soon as possible

- Attack space quickly in transition when the ball is won or opponent is unorganized after a shot or goal (transition to attack)

- Get back quickly on defense when you lose possession (transition to defend)

- Head up

- Lose your defender - move away and show, show and spin, runs in behind blind spot

- Pass and move - give and go, overlap, underlap, play and support with good angle

- Decision making - 1v1, take on the defender with moves - 2v1, commit defender and play or beat off dribble - 1v2, head up and pass

- Creativity - try new moves, take risks

- Defense - mark up 1v1 with pressure/cover, contain, follow runners, communicate, aggressive/physical but fair