Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defensive Transition (Start Time: 2021-09-10 18:00:00)

Wave Game (15 mins)

Wave Game:
All blue team stand behind one goal, all red team stand at the side opposite. First team (Red) attack the opposite goal unopposed (4v0) once they have had a shot two players from the shooting team must sprint around a yellow cone at the side. The opposite team (blue) now attack (4v4) but as two players are running round the cones at the side there is a momentary overload (4v2), so the onus is on defensive team to recover as quickly as possible. Once blues have then had a shot the 4 red players currently on the pitch go off and 4 new red players come on from behind the goal to attack, while 2 blue players sprint around the outside yellow cone. 

*If a team who is defending dispossess the opposition and goes on a counter attack and has a shot, they become the defensive team again, and the team who had the shot against them departs the field, to be replaced by four new players of the same colour.

Competition:
Count goals, see which team can score the most.

Progression/Regression:

As this is quite a complex drill a regression is to make all four players run around an outside cone once their team has had a shot. The number of players having to run around a cone after shooting can be adapted 1-4.

Success:
High level of communication between players, players sprinting to get around the cone in transition, players in the attacking team ready as a group of 4 to quickly enter the pitch and go to goal quickly, players getting excited by competition element, physical tiredness and heavy breathing should be apparent is this should be a physically demanding drill.

3 x 4 min sets with 1 break between each.

Balls split between goals.

Interventions:
As players can be withdrawn from the activity, if individuals do not understand the practice they can be taken out to observe the practice from the side to gain understanding of the task, or can be given individual coaching during the drill. 

If a player is being lazy and not doing it quickly, can ask them why it is important to get back and help teammates quickly.

Coaching position:
Central (off the pitch so not interfering), stood close so can shout instructions to players and make effort to encourage hard work and keep tempo high, can see defensive transitions clearest from central position.

Small Sides Games (45 mins)

SSG 1:
6v6 but with no zones or rules, same area as before.

SSG 2:
5v5 end lines as goals. Players must dribble the ball over the line to score.

After 4 minutes or when a team concedes two goals in a row e.g 2-0,3-1, the losing team leave the 6v6 and are replaced by winning team from the 5v5. Winner stays on, on 6v6, champions crowned at the end. 

Interventions:

During SSG there should not to be need for interventions as hopefully learning outcome has been achieved. If not, the most suitable intervention would be at the end of the session as to not disrupt ball rolling time. 

Coaching position:
Side of the pitch so that out of the way, on SSG 2 have balls by feet to keep tempo high, able to see defensive transitions most clearly from this position.