Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Propaedeutics of Central players while in possession

Triangle inside Triangle (30 mins)

The purpose of this game is to develop awareness of space, specifically in reference to the positions of defenders relative to the ball, and can aid in development of a Center Mid.

Set up a large triangle (15x15x15 or 20x20x20)

Inside the large triangle make a smaller triangle.

Along each length of the large triangle, place a Blue player.

Along each length of the inside triangle, place a Red player.

Inside the small triangle, place a Blue player.

Ball starts with one of the outside Blue players.

On coaches signal, ball is played around the outside Blue players who look to play into the central Blue player. The Red inside players attempt to deny/steal the pass but are allowed to defend only along their specific length of the inner triangle.

As Blue plays the ball around the outside, the inside Blue player floats inside the smaller triangle, trying to find space and a passing lane where they can receive a pass from an outside Blue.

If the ball moves successfully to the inside and that player successfully plays back out, a point is earned.

Play for two minutes, then swap the inside Blue player, until all Blues have had the inside role. Then repeat for Red.

Alternately, award a point to Blue for each successful entry+exit pass sequence, and a point to Red for every steal. Play to 5 points then switch out inside player.

Coaching points:

-Quick movement of the inside player

-Quick movement of the ball

-Quick play of the ball into the insider player (similar to the "splitting pass" rondo)

Progressions:

-Add a second ball and/or a second inside blue.

-Upon receiving the ball and successfully playing back out, they switch with the player they pass to (who must move the ball along outside before he enters).

4v3 in triangle (30 mins)

A 4v3 Rondo with 3 free players on the outside, and a 1v3 on the inside. This scenario builds on the Space/Awareness rondo by removing restrictions on the defenders.

Blue players on the outside cannot be challenged--Reds can only steal the ball if/when it is inside the square

Blues cycle the ball around the outside and choose appropriate moments to use their single teammate inside the triangle, who must constantly shift and show for the ball.

A point is scored for Blue if they successfully play into their Blue teammate inside and he successfully plays back out (to a different player) or if they connect 5 exterior passes.

A point is scored for Red if they steal.

Proceed to 5-10 points depending on time constraints or success/lack thereof, then shift roles as desired.

Coaching Points:

-Encourage quick cycling of the ball on the outside to unbalance the defenders, and quick re-orienting of the inside Blue to be prepared to receive an interior pass.

-Red should observe and decide whether a dedicated man-marker makes sense, have all 3 players defend the pass, or some combination thereof

Progressions:

-Eliminate one of the 3 interior Reds to promote more success by team in possession

-Impose a man-marking scenario by the Reds to work on dismarking

-If Red wins the ball, rather than a point being awarded they now play a 3v1 Rondo in the grid until the single Blue wins the ball back.