Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): 2. BP_Controlled Possession in the Middle Third with Combination Play to get into the Attacking Area

Game Training (25 mins)

14 Players, 10 x Blue Bibs, 10 x Red Bibs

7V7 to start create time and chance for success.

Blue team - #3,6,8,10,7,11,9

Red team - #9,6,8,10,2,5,3

All restarts from Blue #3

Rules - #6,8,10 can go anywhere in entire grid. #7,11 must remain in zones, as well as #3, Red players must stay outside central grid to begin.

Players in zones can enter middle zone if they link up with #6,8 or 10 through combination play, and can enter to create an overload situation. Only one supporting player at a time allowed in middle zone.

Red, two goals, can score if a combination of any type is created, only #6,8 and 10 can score.

Red team can score by running ball through any one of the three gates.

Progression - Allow Red defenders to follow the play that has combined with the #6/8/10 into middle grid, hopefully allowing the ability for a midfield player to get wide.

Further progression - Allow any player to score through combination play.

Team Task - Can we keep controlled possession through the use of combination play in the middle third to allow our #6/8/10 time and space to be able to play a ball into the attacking area.

Player Tasks:

#7,9,11 can you try to support #6,8,10 and get into the middle third through combination play to create a numerical advantage where possible to allow one of the midfield to get beyond to play a ball into the attacking area.

#7/11 can you create options quickly for #6,8,10 to combine with and get into the midfield to control possession.

#6/8 - When the ball is played from the back, can you look to receive the ball side on, or make a half turn after scanning to quickly link up with #7/11

#6/8 - If you come to receive and are not able to, can you look to rotate between you to create time and space to receive the ball.

#6/8 - If the #3 carried the ball into the midfield, can you look to try and drag the defenders away and allow space to attack.

#9 - can you try to work with #10 and rotate into midfield through combination play.

#3 - Can you be an outlet to keep possession, and where possible carry the ball into the middle third to create an overload.

Coach's Cues:

#6/8 - Starting too deep, not allowing space to rotate into to receive a pass

#10 - Not getting beyond the #9 when the #9 has combined and dropped deep into the midfield.

#6/8 - When the #7/11 have come inside, not identifying when to rotate out wide as an overlap to create width.

#7/11 - When you have come central, and #6/8 have rotated out - not sitting as cover to keep the shape.