Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Breaking Lines - Passing

1

Organisation:

10x20 yards

3 groups of 4 players

1 ball per group

Rotate the middle pair with the outside players (1:30/2:00mins)

Session Info: Principle of Play/Topic Focus:

Breaking lines passing sequences; using a pass into feet> set > play forward to move the ball from one end to another end.

1: A passes to C > C sets B > B passes to D. Repeatfrom other end.

2: A makes a 1-2 with B > A passes into C > C sets B> B passes into D. Repeat from other end.

3: A passes to B > B turns out and makes a 1-2 with C> B passes into D. Repeat from other end.

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions):

1 and 2: (P) limit the touches > touch control and pass> 1 touch constant flow. (R) no limit to touches or time on ball

3: as above but player A instructs B to turn or set or giveplayer B the decision making option (would need two touches to turn/open up!)

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Can the players limit their touches to play quicker?

Can the group keep the sequence going without mistakes (as unopposed)

Quality and speed of passing > increase as confidence improves

Encourage the middle pair not to be static, create different angles, comeshorter or drop off couple yars to change the distances of passes

Coaching Points (Mechanics of Technique):

Angle of approach and body position aligned to direction ofpass

Supporting foot set next to ball before pass

Weight and accuracy of pass (into feet!)

On toes to receive

Relaxed/cushioned control

Body position balance and set to receive

First touch/use of surface to receive in direction want tomake the pass

Prog 3 – ensure open body position and receive on back footto turn out and perform 1-2 set with partner

Possible Interventions and Tactical Points:

Player B/C movement to create angle to receive

Ensure player B/C movement not in the same line and creatingangle for next pass

Quality of pass key > needs to be accurate into feet and suitableweight to allow 1 touch/quick tempo to sequences.

Set/bounce pass  will requireless weight on pass vs pass into the end men

Outside players need be on toes and willing to move left orright to offer a better angle depending on the movement within the inside pair.

3

Organisation:

50x30 yards (larger zones in attack 3rds eg 18/18/14)

6v6 +GK

Rotate the attacking team vs defending team at timeintervals left in session (eg x4 5mins or play x2 10mins)

Session Info: Principle of Play/Topic Focus:

Breaking lines passing; small sided game attack vs defence.

Attack team look play through the 3rds, to break lines and create chances to score against GK.

Attackers can move forward into next zone to create attacking overloads and then drop back to stop counter attack into mini goals.

Defending team look to defend the goal, counter and break lines by passing into the small sized goals at the left and right side of end zone.

Defending team must have at least 1 player in each 3rd

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions):

P: limit the touches of the team in possession to encourage quicker speed of play

P: time limit on defending team to go attack the small goals to avoid them just keeping possession in their own box (not realistic vs realgame situation)

P: time limit on attacking team to create chance and not justkeep possession

R: Defenders have to stay 2-3-1 formation in zones to stop them placing 6 men behind the ball and making it difficult to break lines

R: Create attacking overload 7v5 to increase amount of attacking chances and opportunities to play forward into spare players

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Limit the touches of the team in possession to encouragequicker speed of play

Use a set amount of time before attackers need to create achance and take a shot

Add in halfway line (green line) to split defenders to stop themplacing 6 men behind the ball and making it difficult to break lines; at least2 players need to be in each half to encourage that forward pass

Can players utilise the set and play to go forward or the set to edge of box to create shooting opportunity.

Are players looking to play forward as first choice not move ball around in the back

Coaching Points (Mechanics of Technique)

As above plus additional:

Head and shoulders over ball when shooting

Use of laces for power and inside surface for more control/accurate

First time finish; use of different surfaces of foot and/orbody directed at goal

Possible Interventions and Tactical Points: 

Movement of players to create angle to receive from startingpass (especially first pass from half way line) – nearest two to split left andright to give early option and open out or drag two defenders wide

Team in possession use width and depth to make pitch big andcreate space

Quality of pass key > needs to be accurate into feet and suitableweight to allow 1 touch/quick tempo to sequences.

If player is marked and not able to open up encourage set/bouncepass back to shot or to utilise +1 or +2 players who are in space to receivenext pass – the set/bounce pass needs to be done with a purpose, player performsset and takes defender away to allow space for player to make next pass.

Communication is key from the passer > turn or set as practicedin tech warm up. They can dictate the next pass/phase with instructionsprovided. Also communicate/call the switch if congested to change the picture andattack the space.

Reaction of team who lose possession to win it back quicklyor get man for man/back into shape and be compact to stop defenders playingthrough them and into small goals.