Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): C5 W3 S3 - Fri, 17th April 2026: Match Preparation 60mins RPE 5

Warm Up (15 mins)

2 end players, 1-2 players in middle.

End players start with the ball. Middle players working end to end.

Goal is to increase blood flow whilst introducing the ball and gradually increasing requirements to communicate, combine and move at quicker speeds as the warm up progresses.

Progressions include

1) Bounce pass each end - short

2) 2 bounce passes but encourage shuffle to receive second pass - short

3) short on 1 end player, long to other (if 1 player in middle)

4) no bounce pass, receive, turn and long pass to opposite end, faster pace to go and support

5) same as number 4 but after long pass, end man rotates out so all players work during work period

By last set players should be running at close to 100% and the end men rotations providing brief rest periods.

Introduce dynamic stretching throughout.

Encourage longer runs and getting close to team mate to combine to support style of play and preparation for high speed running.

3v2 Attacking Waves & Crossing (20 mins)

Description: 3 v 2 transition to cross

• Defenders (in black) pass the ball to the attackers (in blue) where it becomes a 3 v 2 in the red cone area.
• Once the action finishes the three attackers continue into the box, with one defender, where they try to score from a cross from a wide area.
• Once the first cross is over, the attackers change their runs to attack the cross from the Other side

Attackers: Not to make the same two runs as teammate, no running in a straight line, try to overlap and run off the shoulder which either creates space to penetrate with a dribble or find a pass to spare man. 

Attackers: Good timing of movement into the box attacking the ball from a crossing area, fill spaces (Front, back post, cut back)

Defenders: Press cover principles, try to isolate attacker and block passing lane to create a 2 v 2 and/or 1 vs 2. Quick to close down space, block any shots on goal with good technique (not turning the body). High level of communication and encourage positive defensive actions

Defenders: Attack the ball from a cross, read the body shape and angle of run from the crossing player to determine area which he will cross the ball into, clear the ball up and out away from penalty area.

Goalkeepers: Good communication, high encouragement.

Roles:

• Ante - Run 3v2 attacking waves/ crossing 
• Alex - Run 3v2 attacking waves/ crossing
• Gary - NA
• Nathan - Balls/ Observe GKs
• Perko - Observe