Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Off The Ball Movement and Penetration

Warm Up/Technical - 4v4 movement of the #9 (10 mins)

Method:

• Large square, split in half
• Split players into 4 groups of 4
• In one square place 3 blue players on the outside of one half and 3 red players on the outside of the other half, with 1 blue and 1 red #9 in the middle
• Ball starts with blue team who pass ball around their half until they can play into blue #9 who can choose to turn and dribble into red half, or run onto through ball in red half and play to red player on end line
• Once this happens red players then do the same and try to build up and get ball to red #9 in other half and play pass to blue end zone player
• The opposition #9 should try prevent the attacker from receiving or turning into opposition half. If they win the ball back they play to the opposite line player and play starts with them 
• Switch so all players get a chance to play as #9

• Allow players to work on off ball runs and through passes in a small sided setting
• Work on passing combinations which can be used in matches to create space
• Allow players to work on short, quick passing and get them warmed up for the upcoming session

Coaching Points:

• #9 used decoy or curved runs to deceive defender and create space
• Use blind side runs to get in behind defender
• Move ball quickly to keep defender moving and create space for #9 to run into
• Use verbal and non verbal communication to show teammates where the ball should be played

Tactical 2 - 7v9 attackers v defenders (30 mins)

Method:

• Play on half a pitch with a goal at one end, and a zone marked out the length of the penalty box and width of the pitch
• Blue team set up in 1-4-3-1, red team set up in 1-6 with DM, 3 CMs, LW, ST, RW
• Ball starts with red team who look to build up and score in goal 
• Ball must be played into end zone for a goal to be scored. Goal can be scored from cross in end zone or from a direct shot
• Defenders cannot enter end zone until ball has been played in
• If defenders win ball back they can counter attack + try to play back to red #6 for a point
• Ideally we want the ball played in behind defenders into zone to score, however if an attacker has the space and opportunity to dribble into zone, don't stop them

Objective:

• Encourage attackers to make intelligent and creative runs to get in behind a mid block defence
• Find creative solutions to play in behind a defence that is compact
• Improve penetrative passing and vision
• Work on repeatable combinations that can be used in matches
• Work on build up play and create chances through crosses from inside the zone, or from through balls into penalty area

Coaching Points:

• Opposition
• In Defence: Stay compact to make it hard to play in behind, pressure ball carrier, be alert to runs in behind, especially on blind side, communicate about opposition movement
• In Attack: When ball is won, look up and play forward quickly to take advantage of out of shape opposition, exploit space in behind if attackers are pushed forward

• Attackers
  
• In Attack: Move ball quickly to drag defenders out of shape, wingers stay wide to create space in the middle, make angled or curved runs on defenders blind side, use decoy runs to create space, open body shape at all times to see more of the pitch, always be moving, start runs before the ball is played, communicate, show teammates where you want ball to be played to
• In Defence: Transition quickly to defend and regain shape, prevent forward play and allow time to get back into shape, press player who wins balls back to try regain possession immediately