Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Attacking From the Flank

Warmup - Overlap and Cross (15 mins)

Organization:

25x35 area, cones set up as shown. One player starts at each of three cones, A, B, and C. Ditto other side. Remaining players line up at the two A cones. Extra balls at A cones.

Instructions:

1. A passes to B then runs an overlap around B.

2. B plays a set pass back to C.

3. C plays to A on the overlap.

4. A plays a cross to A' on the other side.

5. A checks back to receive a pass as the new B player.

Rotation: A-B-C-A

Players stay on their own side of the field (red or yellow cones), same pattern is being run on both sides.

Coaching Points:

B - Check back hard for the ball.

C - Play the overlapping player in stride on his lead foot

A - Look at target then head down to play the cross

Communicate! Call for the ball, point to where you want it.

Progressions:

Switch sides

P - Play two balls simultaneously.

P - All passes are played first time.

Expanded Game (25 mins)

Organization:

Half field. 8v7+GK. Use cones to mark out wide channels the width of the box. One player from each team stays in each channel. Offsides rule in effect.

Instructions:

- Whites are attacking the goal.

- If Whites complete 5 consecutive passes they can send an extra player into the wide channel for a 2v1 advantage.

- No one else is allowed in the wide channels.

- Two-touch limit in the wide channels.

- Ball must enter the wide channel before Whites are allowed to score.

- Blues score by dribbling over the mid-line.

Coaching Points:

- Look to create 2v1 advantages wide.

- Look for the overlap wide.

- Use stop-starts on the wing to create space to cross.

- Hold your run until the server puts his head down to strike.

- Look for pockets of space to drift into.

- Attack the space.

Progressions: