Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Mavericks U15B - Week 6.2 - Counter Attacking (Start Time: 2018-05-23 17:30:00)

Warm up (15 mins)

Organization:

Two 15x15 yard grids are created side-by-side as shown in Diagram (b) below. Goalkeepers are positioned at each end of the grids to act as target players. A 4v4 is organized in each grid as shown. The setup is repeated to accommodate the entire team. Note - Two games of 4v4 are illustrated

Instructions:

One player from the defending team must remain in the opposite grid as shown above. The other 3 teammates must attempt to gain possession from the 4 opposing players. This creates a numbers-down situation for the defensive team and forces them to work as a "unit" to regain possession. If the defensive team wins possession they must quickly switch the ball to their teammate in the opposite grid. Immediately they must travel to support the play. In the Diagram above, Player (A) has won possession of the ball and quickly passes to his/her teammate in the opposite grid. The blues will now transition quickly to support the play while the yellow team must send over 3 players to defend. Points are awarded for a successful "switch" and 7 consecutive passes.

Coaching Points:

• Work together to defend as a "unit"

• Attempt to regain possession quickly.

• Immediately look to switch the ball on gaining possession.

• Travel quickly to support the play.

Progressions:

Main Theme 2 (20 mins)

Organization:

Two zones are created on the pitch - 5v5 in middle zone, 1v1 in end zone as shown. In the diagram below Player (A) is a target center-forward while (B) is a marking central defender.

Instructions:

Both teams compete in the middle zone (5v5) for possession of the ball. Blue Players are encouraged to look for opportunities to play forward to the target player in the end zone. After playing the ball into the target player 2 players must "burst" forward into the end zone to support the attack - this creates a 3v1 going to goal. No defensive players from the middle zone can track back to defend

in the end zone. After an attempt on goal play resumes with a pass from GK to players C on the outside one from each side. Yellow team attempt to score on flag gates by dribbling get a goal.

Coaching Points:

• Play quickly into the center-forward upon winning possession of the ball.

• Travel quickly to support the attack.

• NO long passing sequences - players are encouraged to get an attack off quickly.

• Timing/angle of runs from center-forward is crucial.

Progressions:

(1) Allow 1 player from the middle zone to track back to defend.

(2) Allow 2 players from the middle zone to track back to defend.

(3) Add 2 more players for each team to become a 7 v 7 plus 1 v 1 and GK on other zone.

(3) Also add flag gates on other line and AC Milan will try to connect with forward through that gate, this will be when team is winning and time is almost over and we want to play as wide as possible on a counter attack with the forward to kill time and attack through flanks.