Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Principles of Play - In Possession, Out Of Possession & Transitions

Part 1: Technical (10 mins)

Organisation:

• 45x35 area
• Working for 10 minutes in 5 blocks of 90 seconds with 30 seconds rest
• 8 pancakes spaced inside the area
• 1 player on each pancake without a ball
• 8 players inside the area with a ball each

Description:

Working in 5 blocks, players are to focus on developing various passing and receiving combinations. Rotating active group/group stationed on the pancake after each group completes a block, players are to work through the following sets

1. Bounce Pass: Player in possession passes to an open player on a pancake and remains in position to receive the ball in the same space. Active player should look to receive the return pass on the half turn with their back foot.

2. Pass & Move: Player in possession passes to an open player on a pancake and moves into a new space to receive the ball. After the initial pass, players to focus on combinations of straight pass/diagonal run & diagonal pass/straight run

3. Rotation: Player in possession passes to an open player on a pancake which the receiver should look to control on the half turn with their back foot and exit the pancake to drive into a new space with the ball. First player then fills the space on the pancake that the second player vacated

Coaching Detail:

• In Possession Principles: Ensuring that passes are played with enough weight to avoid interference while still able to be controlled by the receiver. Players should be coached to receive on the half turn and on their back foot to enable quick, forward play while being mindful of when they may need to receive on the front foot(pressure/interference behind)
• Out Of Possession Principles: Coach players to recognise the importance of pass & off ball run combinations to break lines. Coaching the timing of the off ball movement aligned with the release of the return pass
• Transition Principles: Coach the importance of verbal and non verbal communication from players. Verbal calls when players are ready to receive the ball or to gain attention from players on the ball. Non verbal points or directions to instruct the receiver where they want the return pass to be played

Challenges, Conditions, Opposition:

• Challenge receivers to play off two touches

• No direct opposition, however other players in the area provide passive interference

Part 3: Wave Game (15 mins)

Organisation:

• 40x30 area split into two halves of 20x30
• 2x 7 a side goals at each end
• Working for 15 minutes in 5 blocks of 3 minutes
• 2v3 + GKs in each goal

Description:

Working with the team out of possession and underloaded in a 2v3 situation, the defenders must look to protect the goal whilst recognising moments to engage the opposition. If the defending pair win the the ball and keep it in play, they can attack the opposite goal. The practice is a conditional wave game where if the team in possession (red) score, the next play starts with them in possession again. If the team out of possession (blue) prevent the reds from scoring, the next play starts with the blues in possession.

Coaching Detail:

• Recognise Moments to Engage: Identify triggers to engage the opposition and look to win possession
• Protect the Space: Coach the players to recognise when their teammate has engaged and where they need to be positioned to provide effective support whilst also covering vulnerable areas of the pitch
• Protect the Goal: Develop the players understanding of when to drop to protect the goal and employ emergency defending techniques

Challenges, Conditions, Opposition:

• Team in possession have 10 seconds to score
• Team in possession earn 1 point per goal
• Team out of possession earn 1 point for preventing a goal
• Team out of possession earn 2 points for winning the ball and scoring
• In/out of possession roles swap on preventing a goal being scored

Part 5: SSG (20 mins)

Organisation

• Area is full half of a pitch playing lengthwise across it 
• Two teams of 8 (depending on numbers)
• Working for 20 minutes in 3 blocks

Description:

Consolidating learning from earlier practices, players now demonstrate understanding in various small sided game scenarios with standard football rules and restarts applying.

• Block 1: Teams in matching formations
• Block 2: Teams in offset formations
• Block 3: Game scenario - losing 0-1

Coaching Detail:

• Counter Attack: Player on the ball is in a position to drive forwards or has supporting teammates that are able to create height & width
• Secure Possession: Player is under pressure and unable to play forwards or teammates are not in positions to support forward play. Look to make the pitch big and maintain control
• Counter Press: Team have a player close enough to immediately press and teammates are in supporting positions around the ball to screen passing lines and restrict space for the opposition to play out
• Regain Shape: Team are spread out and unable to get immediate pressure on the ball or nearest player has no support to effectively press and restrict space close to the ball. Coach the players to get compact in their shape and protect central areas

Challenges, Conditions, Opposition:

• Earn 1 point for every goal
• Earn 2 points for scoring within 7 seconds of possession