Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U14 Session Coach Mahmoud and Coach Moaaz (Start Time: 2025-10-23 16:45:00)

Possession Game: Width & Depth by Lines (10 mins)

⚽ Possession Game: Width & Depth by Lines

Objective:
To develop the principles of Width and Depth during possession,
and to improve collective defending as one compact line.

Duration:

⏱️ 7 minutes – immediately after warm-up.

Organization / Set-Up:

• Total players: 18 (9v9)

• Divide the pitch into 3 horizontal lines (zones):

  • Defensive line (3 players)

  • Midfield line (3 players)

  • Attacking line (3 players)

• Each line from Team A faces the corresponding line from Team B.

• Each line has a marked zone (approx. 10–12m depth × 25–30m width).

• Coach positioned outside with supply of balls to keep play continuous.

• 2–3 mini goals (optional) behind the last lines for direction or scoring incentive.

Rules of the Game:

• The ball must progress line by line (defense → midfield → attack) using controlled passes.

• Players must maintain width (using full width of the zone) and depth (staggered positioning).

• Defending team presses collectively as one line, trying to win the ball and counter.

• Upon recovery, the team must circulate the ball back through their lines to earn 1 point.

• Limited touches (2 max) to encourage quick decision-making.

• Offside and rotation rules can be adapted depending on the players’ level.

Coaching Points:

• Width: Use the entire space between sidelines to stretch the opposition.

• Depth: One player always provides forward support, another provides backward support.

• Body shape: Always open to see both ball and next line.

• Support angles: Constant adjustment between horizontal and diagonal options.

• Defensive phase:

  • Line moves together as a unit.

  • Distance between lines must remain compact (8–10m).

  • Pressure–cover–balance coordination.

• Communication & scanning before receiving.

Progressions:

• Add a neutral player (joker) between lines to create overload (10v9).

• Allow players to rotate lines after each attack to improve positional understanding.

• Add directional goals (score after full progression from back to front).

• Introduce time limit per possession (e.g., 10 seconds to reach next line).

counter Press (15 mins)

Part 3 – Transition to Defensive Phase (Counter-Pressing Reaction Game)

Age Group: U14 & U12

Format: 9-a-side (8 + GK)

Duration: 15–20 minutes

Area: Half pitch (approx. 60 × 50 m U14 / 50 × 40 m U12)

Objective:

Develop team understanding and reaction when losing possession — applying immediate counter-pressing (defensive transition) to recover the ball as quickly as possible.

Set Up

• Same 9-a-side teams from previous game.

• Normal goals with goalkeepers.

• Divide the field again into two main zones:

  • Possession zone (attacking half)

  • Defensive transition zone (middle + defensive third)

• Coach feeds the ball alternately to both teams to start play from midfield or attacking areas.

Organisation

• Teams play a possession-based game aiming to build attacks.

• When possession is lost, the team must immediately react by closing the ball carrier, blocking passing lanes, and pressing collectively to win the ball back within 6 seconds (Rule of 6).

• If they win the ball back inside 6 seconds → +1 bonus point / immediate attack.

• If they fail → opponent gets free build-up play for 10 seconds.

• Coach resets play quickly to maintain tempo and repetition.

Coaching Points

• ✅ Immediate reaction after losing possession — “Don’t switch off.”

• ✅ Closest player presses, second provides cover, third blocks passing line.

• ✅ Compact team shape — squeeze towards the ball.

• ✅ Communication: trigger words (“Press!”, “Cover!”, “Close!”).

• ✅ Body orientation toward the ball and passing options.

• ✅ Aggression and speed in first 3–4 seconds after loss.

• ✅ If ball is not recovered, quickly reorganize into defensive block.

Progressions

• Limit recovery time → 5 seconds instead of 6.

• Award extra points for regaining the ball and scoring within 8 seconds.

• Start plays with uneven possession (e.g., 5v4) to stress transitions.

• Add neutral players for quicker overload decisions.

• Vary starting zones (wide areas, central, near goal) to simulate match situations.

Coaching Focus Summary

• Physical: High-intensity repeated efforts.

• Tactical: Compactness + coordinated pressing triggers.

• Psychological: Immediate mindset switch (“We lose it → We press”).

fartlek Train (10 mins)

 Conditioning Phase: Variable Speed Runs (10 minutes)

Objective:

To develop both aerobic (القدرات الهوائية) and anaerobic (القدرات اللاهوائية) endurance through variable-speed running patterns at controlled intensity.

Duration:

⏱️ 10 minutes continuous or interval-based work.

Organization / Set-Up:

• Area: Running lanes or along one side of the pitch (60–80 meters).

• Players grouped in pairs or small groups (4–6 per lane).

• Cones mark each 10–20m section to define pace changes.

• Coach controls tempo using whistle or verbal cues (“Jog – Run – Sprint”).

Structure / Format:

• Total Time: 10 minutes

• Work/Rest Pattern:

  • 30 sec jog (60%)

  • 20 sec run (80%)

  • 10 sec sprint (100%)

  • 30 sec active recovery (walk or slow jog)

• Repeat for 5 full cycles (2 minutes per cycle).

Focus Points:

✅ Maintain running technique (relaxed upper body, forward lean, efficient arm drive).
✅ Encourage progressive intensity increase through each cycle.
✅ Reinforce active recovery between efforts — avoid full stop.
✅ Monitor players’ heart rate zones if possible (target 75–90% HR max).
✅ Promote awareness of effort control and breathing rhythm.

Coaching Emphasis:

• “Recover while moving.”

• “Sprint sharp, recover smart.”

• “Stay compact and technically clean even at high intensity.”

Progressions:

• Increase to 6–7 cycles (12–14 minutes) for advanced players.

• Add ball-carrying sprints to integrate physical + technical load.

• Reduce recovery time to 20s for higher anaerobic demand.

• Pair players to create competitive runs (visual motivation).