Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Transitions, Counter attacking

Heading warm up (10 mins)

Organisation

 5v5 + 2 Target players in end zones opposite to each other.

Area is 25x30M for 12 players. For 10 could do 23x27M, 4v4 +2 Target players. If odd numbers use a 'Joker' who plays for the team with the ball. For 8 could do 20x25, use a 4v4 and use goals instead of target players and if a team score the ball goes to the other team.

Netball rules, players can only pivot, non contact, only able to intercept. Only way to pass is to throw the ball up and head it to a teammate. The reciever doesn't have to catch it, they can head it first time.

Players in the end zone must stay in the zone but are free to move up and down.

 Aim

 Aim is to head the ball to a target player in the end zone.

If a team successfully heads it to a target player their team keeps possession and tries to get it to the target player on the oppostie side.

1 Goal for reaching one tagret player by throwing it up and heading it to them, 2 goals for heading it directly from a pass without needing to catch it.

 Coaching points

 Mechanics of heading: Eyes open, Use forehead, Neck and back muscles for power, Arms out for balance, on toes.

Communication, movement, interceptions, intensity.

 Progressions/ Regressions

 Progressions: Time limits on the ball for each player. Time limits for a team to score. 3 goals for more than 2 consecutive headers resulting in a goal. Time limit to score following an interception. Make the playing area bigger to increase the distance of headers, smaller to encourage more movements and interceptions.

 Regressions: 2 target players in end zones giving more space for players. Don't have to head it, can throw it directly to a target player to focus on communication, movement and interceptions.

Skill, Counter attack (15 mins)

Organisation

 Same layout from the previous practice. 4v4 on the pitch, 1 team resting. After a team scores the losing team go off. Teams can win up to 4 times in a row before having to swap. If using odd numbers a neutral player can be used to aid the chances of achieving success, defending team would have the neutral player. For 10 players can do 5v5 and potentially adjust the pitch size if required.

 Aim

Aim is to dribble the ball through a gate to score a goal. A goal only counts if all team embers are in the opposition half. This leads to lots of space being created offering the chance to counter attack. Hopefully the players take the aspects of intercepting from the warm up and the movements from the technical to produce some effective counter attacks.

 Coaching points

Communication, speed, intensity, movement

 Progressions/ Regressions

Progressions: Could make it 2/3 touches per player maximum, goals on the counter attack are worth 2, make the gates smaller, make the pitch smaller so their close control must be better.

 Regressions: Can run with the ball through the gates, make the gates bigger, make the area bigger if their control isn't good enough or smaller if they're not able to run too far.