Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Group Tactics - Transitions

Warm-up - Passing (20 mins)

Organization:

Inside 20x30yd box (depending on age/# of players

Coach has supply of balls on touchline

Instructions:

2 rules - all players and all balls must be in constant motion.

As players pass one ball around, coach introduces a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc

Goal is to see how many balls can be possessed at one time in the area

Coaching Points:

Communication (1. eye contact, making sure player is ready to receive your ball, 2. Hand signals, and3. verbal (square, support, through, switch).

Awareness of space

Quality/weight of passes.

Speed of play

Composure on the ball (knowing when to dribble to space, vice pass immediately)

Progressions:

Simply add/remove balls/defenders until have the correct balance between challenge/success

Conditioned Game - Gegenpresse (25 mins)

Organization: 11 players, 2 teams of 4 + 3 neutrals. Two adjacent squares, 15x10yds each (rectangle is 15x20)

Instructions: Teams play through neutrals (usually represented by CB, CM, and F). Pass from one endline to next equals a point. Once scored, seek to reverse. Team on offense plays from outside the squares. Defense inside squares (cannot leave). Passes must be through the squares (cannot pass "down sideline where no defender". As soon as defense wins ball, defense moves immediately outside square and team dispossessed jumps in to defend.

In example above, blue is on offense, red defending, and yellow is neutral.

Coaching Points:

1. Emphasize lightning quick transition from attack to defense and vice verse

2. Incorporate pressure + cover roles to negate penetrating passes (force lateral/backwards)

Progressions:

P - 5 passes = 1 pt

R - remove a defender