Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): counter attacking - Task 7

Task 7 - Resilience (20 mins)

Task 7: Resilience for forwards - Attacking break-out game (through the middle)

Welsh Way Principles: Final Third / IP 

Mode: General

Organization / Area size:

Central zone approximately 15m x 30m

Final Third Goal Zone 15m 

30 x 30 playing area

Play 4 x 6 minute periods with 2 min break 

Block 1 - 30 yards wide field

Block 2 - Full width 

Red team challenged to complete 3 passes and then try to play a through ball for a teammate to run onto and have a 1 v 1 with the goalkeeper. If the player leaves the center zone before the pass, they will be offside. Defenders are not allowed to chase back at this point to develop the forwards confidence of getting into the right habits in game. Block 2 look to implement challenges for managed team to ensure realism for both sets of players. This will also bring out the objective of helping the forward to make a variety of runs to put themselves in the best possible situation to score. Grays will be on a managed countdown upon regain of the ball to score. 

How:

Coach works with RED team in this case and Grays will work to the sub principles which is to deny goal scoring opportunities by protecting central areas, being compact and preventing split passes. REDS will be coached on how to break this down by drawing the opponent out to exploit the gaps behind them to play through, around or over. Various challenges for supporting players on the red team to create 2v1's and look to create goal scoring opportunities throughout. 

Challenges, Conditions & Targets:

Condition is the pitch size which is 30 x 30 for first block - then goes to full width (shaded area highlights this). The Target is to get our striker into as many goal scoring positions as possible and score in the fixed goal past the keeper, and this practice will elicit this response. The grays the target is the fixed goal and goalkeeper. Grays are challenged by a managed countdown in Blocks 1 and 2 then 3 and 4 they will be challenged further by scoring from a counter attack breaking lines. The REDS will be challenged by offsides, set number of passes before releasing a through ball and the 9 will be challenged with making different runs in behind to be in a position to score as this has been an issue in previous games. REDS also challenged with only being allowed to score off different type of crosses. Offsides apply and defenders now active instead of being restricted like in blocks 1 and 2. Striker individually challenged with not being allowed to make the same run twice in a row. Also a target number of goals in the session to develop that confidence and positive mental imagery so on Match day, the striker is now in a stage of thriving. 

Key Points:

In Possession

play through, around or over 

Ball speed

Weight of pass

Timing of runs - movement to receive

variety of runs 'Don't be predictable' 

Use width and depth 

Direction of pass - reverse pass encouraged to break lines

Out of Possession

Defend narrow 

force away from goal 

stay compact 

stop crosses / shots 

defend the box 

minimal box entries