Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): TSP - Receiving to Play Forward (Start Time: 2022-06-28 17:30:00)

RECEIVING UNDER PRESSURE CIRCLE WORK (15 mins)

Warm-Up (Skill Introduction)

Dynamic Football movements progressing to Rondos.

FUNCTION
• Set up a circle and split players into two teams of four.
• Start with a 2v2 in the middle, with the remaining players around the outside of the circle.
• Two players on the outside begin with a ball. The players inside the circle simply have to receive the ball and play out to another player on the outside of the circle, as shown in Diagram 1.
• Players play 1v1 in the circle, with one player trying to stop the other from receiving the ball and transferring it to another player outside the circle.
• If the defender wins the ball from the attacker, they pass the ball to a player on the outside of the circle.
They also then become the attacker.
• Players on the outside of the circle can move anywhere around the outside of the circle to receive passes.
• Regularly swap the players on the outside of the circle with the players on the inside.
• To add an element of competition, have players keep score to see who can make the most passes in one minute. Players should only get a point if they switch the ball from one outside player to another.
PROGRESSION
• To progress, players must transfer the ball to a player from the other team. So, if they receive from a Team A player, they have to then play to a Team B player. This is shown in Diagram 2

4v4 +2 FOUR-GOAL CIRCLE GAME (20 mins)

FUNCTION
• Set up a circle with four goals around the outside, as shown in the diagrams.
• Divide 12 players into two teams of six, with a 4v4 in the middle of the circle and two players from each team
around the outside of the circle. Each player on the outside should be close to one of the goals.
• Players in the middle try to receive from a player on the outside before playing to another player on the outside and then receiving the ball back to score into one of the goals. Diagram 1 shows Team A scoring a goal.
• If Team B wins possession, they should look to play to one of their teammates on the outside before they can score into one of the goals. An example of this is shown in Diagram 2.
• Each time the ball goes out of play, the coach should be ready to put a new ball into play.
• To add an element of competition, keep count of the score and play, for example, first to five goals.
ROTATION
• Once the ball is passed to a player on the outside, they have the option to step into the circle and swap roles with a player on the inside of the circle. This is also shown in Diagram 2.
• Players should look to recognise when it is the right time to step in with the ball, and when they should pass to a teammate and remain on the outside.

NO-CORNER SMALL-SIDED GAME (20 mins)

FUNCTION
• Set up a pitch that is shaped – or at least roughly shaped – in an oval. Crucially, there must be no corners.
• This is a 5v5 (plus goalkeepers) small-sided game with normal rules. If the ball goes out of play, return the ball with a throw-in or a kick-in.
• The pitch shape will constrain players so that they have to adjust their body shape to play forwards, while also challenging them to play over and through the opposition.
INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGES
• The coach should give the players individual challenges to focus on during the game. Examples of these could be the following:
In possession
• Close your eyes and tell me what’s around you? Try to receive with an open body shape.
• Try not to touch the ball when you receive it. Let it run across you to play forwards.
Out of possession
• Try to prevent your opponent from receiving in a forward-facing position.
• Don’t let your direct opponent play forwards.
• Recognise when to press and when to drop.
• Try to win the ball back within five seconds.

COACHING DETAIL: TECHNICAL
MOVEMENT
• Players need to move to create space to receive.
• Players should look to move into a position where they can see the ball, the opponent and a player they are hoping to pass to.
SCANNING
• Throughout this game, players should scan so that they can see where teammates and opponents are.
• This will enable them to recognise when and how they may be able to turn and play a forward pass.
BODY SHAPE
• An open body shape will help the attackers receive and play forward. This body shape will also help them to receive on their back foot, or let the ball run across their body to turn.
RECIEVING & PASSING
• Encourage players to recognise when they can play forwards, but also when they may need to protect or set the ball back the way it came.
• Players will need to be able to adjust how they receive the ball based on the situation they are in.
COACHING DETAIL:
ATTACKING TRANSITION
SPEED OF ATTACK
• Once a defender has won the ball back, they should look to play forward quickly.
COACHING DETAIL:
DEFENSIVE TRANSITION
LOCK ON
• Once an attacker has lost possession of the ball, encourage them to mark their opponent goalside.
MARK SPACE
• If the defender cannot mark their opponent, they may look to cover space and aim to intercept the ball.