Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): 7v7+1 Conditioned Game

7v7 +1 Conditioned Game (20 mins)

7 v 7 +1 Conditioned Game.

This is a conditioned small-sided game in which the pitch is split into two halves and three vertical channels, as shown in the diagram. There are two teams of seven plus goalkeepers, and a neutral player (N) who plays for whichever team is in possession.

Normal football rules apply until a goal is scored.

Once a goal is scored, the team that scored must try and win the ball back within eight passes of the opponents restarting the game from their goalkeeper. If they do so, they keep their goal.

If the opposing team scores within eight passes, they are automatically given a point and restart the game from their goalkeeper. They do not have to win the ball back to gain a point.

Progression

The team that scored must maintain possession for 10 passes in order to keep their goal.
The ball starts with the goalkeeper.

The ball is fed into random areas of the pitch and the team that conceded must maintain possession for eight passes or score in order to stop a goal being scored.

If a team can win the ball in the area of the pitch they lost the ball, they can be awarded a point.

LOCKING PLAY WIDE

The out-of-possession team should be encouraged to lock play wide, through directing the opponents’ play to wide areas and providing cover inside to prevent switches of play. (ST press CB)

When doing this, the out-of-possession team should have all their players occupying the two vertical channels nearest the ball.

SETTING TRAPS

The out-of-possession team should attempt to set traps for their opponents to play into. ( 7 give 2 space/11 give 5 space to receive)

These traps should be set in the outer channels, to link with the previous point of locking play wide.

Once the opponents have played into a trap, players should press with intent to win the ball.

PRESSING AGGRESSIVELY

As the opponents move the ball, players should be encouraged to press aggressively to get pressure on
the ball and Nearest - next possible player to pass.

Encourage & Praise
The importance of the pressing player exerting high pressure on the ball-carrier should be praised throughout the practice. This will generally lead to misplaced passes for teammates to intercept, or winning possession through a tackle.