Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Creativity in the final third

Initial Game (15 mins)

Setup:

• 35 x 20 Area
• 10 players
• 4 goals
• Pinnies
• Cones
• Balls
• Assign players to roles and zones

How to Play:

• In the final 10 yards on each end there is a striker of one team and a defender from the opposing team. There are 3 midfielders per team in the central zone. All players are locked into their zones.
  
• The coach plays the ball to a player in one of the end zones. The team in possession attacks the opposite way and looks to make a pass to the striker. The striker can either, shoot on goal or pass out to a supporting midfielder, who can then finish on goal with a one touch. If the midfielder does not get a shot off, the ball has to be played into the striker before they try another shot on goal.

Progression:

• If the midfielder does not try to finish and decides to keep possession, they can play the opposite way and use the player on the opposite end as the alternate striker.

• Opening up to receive the ball and touch in the direction of goal
  
• Creativity and skill on 1v1
• Learn to hold up play with back to goal to find a supporting player
• Use body and strength to turn with back to goal

Final Game 9v9 (25 mins)

Setup:

• Half field
• Pinnies
• Cones
• Balls

Activity:

2 teams of 9 players or more. Final game will be played 9 v 9 with retreat on goal kicks. Rotate players into different positions throughout the game and into the goal keeper position, if team goal keepers are not available.

Play with the offside rule.

Coaching Points:

Encourage movement and support concepts learned in earlier activities