Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Salthill Devon 1st Team Week 1 Day 1 (Start Time: 2023-07-17 20:00:00)

4v2 (10 mins)

Method: 10 X 10                3 X 5 Mins

Coaching Points:

In a square space of 10×10 metres, we have 4 players on the outside lines of the square and two players inside. The objective of the drill is that the 4 players that are outside the square pass the ball between each other without letting the two inside steal the ball. If the ball is passed out of the square accidentally or a defender steals the ball, the attacking player goes in to defend and vice versa. We don´t limit the number of touches by the players, but ideally, they should be passing the ball with few touches.

EPE 6 X 60M 60% 6M STOP (10 mins)

Method: Explosive Preparatory Exercises

Coaching Points:

6 x 60m / 60% / 60 sec rest / 6m stop

4v4+1 (15 mins)

Method:  38 x 22 yards   3 x 3 mins 1.5 min rest

Coaching Points:

• Keep possession of the ball in a drill using two teams of 4 players and 1 players who act as ‘floaters’ and always play for the team in possession of the ball. In the end, it’s always 5 vs 4 in favour of the team with the ball.
• The team that loses the ball automatically change to defenders and the team that has won the ball back change to try and keep possession.
• Normally the drill is played with a maximum of two touches for each player at a time.
• Each player occupies a determined zone of the playing area and always looks to stay in a beneficial position without unnecessarily crossing into his teammates zones.
• We are looking to widen the play as much as possible to create the highest number of passing options and triangles among the team that has the ball and the two floaters.
• The idea is for the team in possession to keep the ball for as long as possible and recover it as quickly as possible when it is lost.
• For the team that is defending, they are looking to defend in a zone and look for the right moment to press and recover the ball, focusing on not losing the ball once they win it back.

5V5 (10 mins)

Method:  44y x 33m         2 x 2 Min     2 Min Rest

Coaching Points:

Attack:

• Create depth and width in the pitch to find gaps in the defence.
• Pass the ball quickly with few touches to find space in the defence.
• Play forward passes to look for the 3rd man and to beat the defence.
• Attacking players should always scan who’s around them to be able to play quickly when they receive the ball.
• Crosses coming in from the wing will provide shots on goal and second balls, which can be taken advantage of to finish on target.
• Shoot on target with one touch if possible.
• Be ready defensively to transition from Attack to Defence in case opponent recovers the ball.
• Try to play passes along the ground and play short and long passes to keep the defence guessing.

Transition Attack to Defence:

• When a team loses possession, it’s important that the player closes to the ball closes down their opponent before they have a chance to shoot.
• Even if a player is man marking, they should drop their marker and close down the opponent who´s near goal to block a shot.
• It’s important not to dive in after losing possession of the ball. Otherwise, the attacking player will easily beat the defender.

Defense:

• Keep the defence tight and narrow so as not to leave inside gaps.
• Don’t get beat 1v1.
• Win the second balls from blocked shots.
• Be ready to go on a counterattack when the ball is recovered.
• Maintain constant communication with teammates so everyone knows what to do.
• Don’t get beat on one-two combination plays. Stay with the player.

Transition Defence to Attack:

• Whenever a player wins the ball, they should first look to see if they can test the goalkeeper and shoot on target.
• Look forward to see if a teammate is in an advanced position and is able to shoot on goal.
• If a team recovers the ball, the goalkeeper or another player must offer a passing option to their teammates to build out from the back and to maintain possession.