Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Foundation Phase - Passing & Receiving (Setting back to same player and half-turns)

Unopposed Skill Practice (10 mins)

Set Up

• Two areas set up with mannequins in the middle.
• Markers at each end 5+ metres from the mannequin for the players to line up at.

Group A 

• Player at each end steps into the middle onto the mannequin
• Player at end passes the ball in to the player on the mannequin who SETS WITH ONE TOUCH back to the same player that passed them the ball.
• Player that sets goes to back of the line whilst the player that passed in goes to the mannequin.

• Show the player passing to you the foot furthest from the defender/mannequin.
• Side on with arm against the defender (mannequin) so that your body is between the receiving foot and ball; and the defender (mannequin)
• When setting, lock ankle with foot slightly higher of the ground to keep the ball on the ground.
• Use the largest part of the foot (inside) and push ball back to the player passing the ball to you with one touch.  

• Firm pass to the foot furthest from the defender (mannequin).

• Player starts on mannequin.
• Player checks out away from mannequin and to the side of the area.
• Once they receive, they then pass the ball to the furthest end and follow their pass.

Receiving player

• Quick movement off the mannequin into the space
• Body shape open to see the whole area (Player passing the ball, the defender, and the player/space beyond the defender.
• Receive on the furthest foot from the player passing the ball in.
• Can you paly quickly in two touches?

• Can you time your pass until their body position is correct? (i.e they're facing forward)
• Can you pass the ball into the space in front of them/ to the foot furthest from you?

• Players can combine both into the same practice.
• Player can be tight with mannequin protecting the space and setting back.
• Once they do this they then push off their marker into the space and open up to face/play forwards.
• Once they receive they pass through to the other end.
• All players follow their pass.

Game (20 mins)

Set Up

• Pitch set up appropriately to players age, size, ability. Their are two end zones at each end with goals.
• Area set up with coaches on each team and at each end of the pitch.
• Each team has a permanent striker in their attacking zone.
• In the middle zone is 2v2 or 3v3 depending on numbers.

Explanation

• Game restarts with the coaches at each end.
• Coach looks to play the ball into one of their teammates.
• If player can get off their direct opponent and find space to open up and play forward, if not they're required to set back to the coach.
• If they can turn and play forward then they can pass into their striker in the end zone who can score. Alternatively they might be able to dribble into the end zone and score them selves.

• Instead of coach feeding balls in, have a defender in each end zone for their team and they can feed the balls in.
• If a player can turn and face forward they can pass into the striker who can score.
• Or if they can drive into the end zone they can create a 2v1 against the opposition defender. 
• This might also see opportunities for them to play a pass into the striker who might be opposed and has to set for the runner underneath.