Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): U9/10 - Passing & Receiving (Breaking the Line)

Passing Practice (10 mins)

Set Up

• Rectangle Area with three mannequins set up to create 2 gates on the middle in a line.
• Two mini goals at the end of the area.
• All players with a ball line up in two lines at the end of the area, with one player from each line in the other half of the area.

• Players starting with the ball  are looking to play a penetrative pass that BREAKS THE LINEinto the other side.
• The player on the other side is to receive and play forward by shooting into the goal.
• The player that shoots, collects the ball and returns to the end of the line. The player that passes in is now the player in the opposite half.

• Can the penetrative pass BREAK THE LINE with a firm and fast pass?
• Can the player be positioned to receive with body open to play forward?

*Note that at these age its ok for the ball to be play in behind into space; it doesn't have to go directly to the player.

2v1's (15 mins)

Set Up

• Rectangle Area with two goals mini goals at each end.
• Attacking group lines up at each end; with defending group lining up either side of the area.

• Coach feeds ball into attacking player;
• Attacking player is to receive to play forwards.
• On his touch one of the defenders from the side enters the area to create a 2v1. *Alternate side that defenders come from.
• The player in possession is looking to play the ball through to their team mate on the other side of the pitch who can turn and score.
• If defenders win the ball, they can try and score in the goal at the end the player received the ball.

• Can the penetrative pass BREAK THE LINE with a firm and fast pass?
  • Attacking team consider:
    - the importance of playing quickly before the defenders block the space.
    - the importance of breaking the line with good ball speed.
    - If the defenders win the ball, then the attacker must consider the consequences of a counter attack.
  • Defending team consider:
    - Have you scanned/checking shoulder to know where the opposition player is?
    - Can you block the pass into the other side?

*Don't overstress on coaching points for the youngest group.

**Rotate groups so even time in each role.

***If too easy, add a defender from both sides to make it a 2v2