Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Running with the ball (carrying the ball from defensive half)

Skill Training (35 mins)

Organisation 

2 teams start in a 20m x 40m area which is divided into thirds (middle third 20m x 10m and end thirds 20m x 15m) with a 2v1 in each of the end thirds and a 3v3 in the middle third. The team objective is for a player to run with the ball into zone 2 and complete a pass. The ball is served into the middle third to start the exercise. Possession team in the 3v3 area attempt to pass the ball into the third where they have a 2v1 at the earliest opportunity. Once the ball is in the 2v1 zone, one of the possession players attempt to run with the ball into the middle third and pass to a team mate to score a point. If a point is scored play continues with a new player going into the 2v1 zone. If defender wins the ball in the 2v1 area they run with the ball into the middle third and pass to a team mate to start their attempt to score a point with a new player going into the defending 2v1. Play restarts with the coach when the ball goes out of play.

Progressions

• Add goals with the rule that once the ball has been run into middle third and passed to a team mate, a player from the middle third can run the ball into the final third to create a 2v2 and score a goal. If ball lost/goal missed zones reset and ball starts with opposite team served in by coach.
• Players are allowed to run with the ball from any zone into the next forward zone with the restriction if their team loses the ball they can't replace the player who left the previous zone (in diagram white have 2v1 in zone 1 but after running the ball and losing it in zone 2, a player from the black team can run with the ball into zone 1 to create a 2v1 advantage to them).

• Scan the field every 5-10 seconds to identify space 
  
• Push the ball forward with the laces 
• Push the ball approximately every 4-5 steps (based on defenders)
• Run at speed
• Run with head up