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Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Combining to Make Forward Runs (Start Time: 2025-07-09 14:50:00)

Profile Summary

Juan Alberto Luna
Name: Juan Alberto Luna
City: Prospect Heights
Country: United States of America
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Description

Session Overview: Combining to Make Forward Runs

This session focuses on developing players’ ability to recognize and execute forward runs through movement, timing, and combination play. Players begin with simple, engaging activities to understand the timing of runs, then progress into game-like scenarios that challenge their awareness, decision-making, and execution under pressure. The session gradually increases complexity, encouraging players to combine effectively in tight spaces and break lines with well-timed support runs, ultimately leading to goal-scoring opportunities.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): American football game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): American football game
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American football game (10 mins)

Activity 1: American Football Game (3-Player Version)

Theme: Combining to Make Forward Runs
Objective: Improve timing, awareness, and decision-making for forward runs in attacking situations.

Setup:

  • Players work in groups of 3: 1 thrower, 1 attacker, 1 defender

  • Grid: ~15x25 yards with a middle zone and end zone (~5 yards deep)

  • One mini goal placed in the center of the end zone

How to Play:

  • All players start in the middle zone.

  • The thrower starts with a tennis ball and stands stationary.

  • On their call ("Go!"), the attacker makes a run toward the end zone.

  • The thrower tosses the ball ahead of the attacker.

  • The defender tries to intercept the ball or prevent a catch.

  • Switch roles after every few reps.

  • Keep track of successful catches/runs.

Progression:

  • Replace the tennis ball with a soccer ball.

  • The thrower now passes the ball on the ground into space.

  • The attacker must receive the pass and finish into a mini goal in the end zone.

  • Defender continues trying to intercept or block the shot.

  • Adjust distance or pressure to match players' level.

Coaching Points:

  • Timing and angle of the forward run

  • Check away to create space before sprinting

  • Lead pass into space with correct weight and direction

  • Attackers: body shape to receive while moving forward

  • Finish quickly under pressure

  • Defenders: anticipate and close space quickly

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): End Zone Game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): End Zone Game
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End Zone Game (20 mins)

Activity 2: 4v4 End Zone Game with Mini Goals

Theme: Combining to Make Forward Runs
Objective: Improve timing of runs, awareness of space, and decision-making in attacking transition.

Setup:

  • Field size: ~25x35 yards with an end zone (~5 yards deep) on each end.

  • Place 2 mini goals at each end just outside the end zone.

  • Play 4v4 in the central area.

  • Each team starts with a tennis ball (handball rules).

Rules (Handball Phase):

  • Players pass using hands with a maximum of 3 steps before releasing the tennis ball.

  • The opposing team can only intercept — no physical contact.

  • If the ball hits the ground, possession switches.

  • To enter the end zone, attackers must time their run to mimic offside (no early movement into the zone).

  • To score: Catch the ball inside the end zone after a teammate throws it in.

Progression (Foot Play Phase):

  • Coach calls out or plays a ball in at any time to transition from handball to foot-only play.

  • Game now continues with soccer rules:

    • Players use feet only

    • They must combine passes and time runs into the end zone

    • Once in the end zone, they look to score in the mini goals

    • Still enforce offside-like timing — no waiting in the end zone.

Coaching Points:

  • Timing of forward runs — arrive not early, and with speed.

  • Vision and awareness — scan for options and space before receiving.

  • Communication and combination play — use 1-2s, wall passes, and overlaps.

  • Transition speed — shift from handball to foot-play with urgency and awareness.

  • Defending — cut off passing lanes, anticipate runs, and stay compact.


Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Progression

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Progression
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Progression (20 mins)

Activity 3: 4v4 + 1 End Zone Game with Mini Goals

Theme: Combining to Make Forward Runs
Objective: Develop decision-making, timing, and execution of forward runs under pressure using combination play and movement.

Setup:

  • Field size: ~30x35 yards with end zones (~5 yards deep) on both ends.

  • Place two mini goals just outside each end zone.

  • 4v4 + 1 neutral player (5v4 in possession) in the middle area.

  • The +1 neutral plays with the team in possession to create overloads.

Rules:

  • The game is played with feet only from the start.

  • Teams maintain possession and look to combine to play into the end zone.

  • Once a player receives the ball in the end zone, they must finish into one of the mini goals.

  • No players are allowed to start in the end zone – runs must be timed (no camping).

  • Emphasis on quick passing, movement, and forward support.

Progression:

  • Allow 1 defender to recover into the end zone when the ball is played forward.

  • Allow 1 attacker to join the ball carrier in the end zone, creating a 2v1 scenario.

  • Objective is now to combine under pressure to create and finish scoring chances in the mini goal.

Coaching Points:

  • Timing and angle of runs into the end zone — don’t go too early.

  • Quick combinations — 1-2s, wall passes, overlaps.

  • Awareness of support — recognize when a teammate is joining and play the right type of pass.

  • Execution under pressure — composure in the 2v1 to create a scoring opportunity.

  • Defensive reaction — defender must track quickly and cut off options.


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