Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Through Passes and Breaking Lines

SSG1

Organization

• Half the pitch, with end zones marked by cones 10 yards in from the goal line and half line. 
• Players split evenly, neutral player if necessary

Activity

Players look to score by playing into the end zone that their opponent in defending. Defenders cannot enter the end zone, and attackers can only look to enter once the ball has been played into it. Attackers should not wait for the ball the enter the end zone if it has been played towards the end zone.

Coaching Points

• Attacking Principles of Play (Dispersal, Penetration, Creativity, Movement)
• Look to break the defensive line with a pass
• Weight of the pass needs to get past the defenders
• Attackers off the ball should look to make runs in behind to show intent
• Attackers shouldn't wait for the ball to played and react, they need to anticipate.

• Timing of movement - move as the pass is being made not before (too early, offside) or after (too late, chasing the ball)

• Play into feet when passing side to side and backwards, and into space when passing forward.

• Weight of pass - must be strong enough to break the line.

Pressure

Organization

Half pitch, offside line as shown

4v2 in the "possession zone", goalkeeper in the "attacking zone"

Activity

Players arrange themselves into diamond shape, and the bottom of the diamond (CM), plays the ball into one of their three teammates. As the pass is made, two defenders enter the possession zone and look to win the ball from the attacking team. Attacking team looks to work together and play the ball into the Attacking Zone, where they look to score on goal. Attacking team cannot enter the attacking zone until ball has been played into the zone. Attacking zone can only be entered by a pass, not a dribble. 

Defenders can enter the attacking zone as well once the offside line has been broken. If they win the ball back, they look to score on the minigoals. 

Progression: Add a defender

Coaching Points

• Attacking Principles of Play (Dispersal, Penetration, Creativity, Movement and Support)
• Look to break the offside line at earliest opportunity
• Timing of movement - move as the pass is being made not before (too early, offside) or after (too late, chasing the ball)
• Weight of pass - must be strong enough to break the line.
• Play into feet when passing side to side and backwards, and into space when passing forward.