Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U17+ Creating overloads to progress through the thirds

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Tony Hodson

Profile Summary

Name:
Tony Hodson
City:
London
Country:
United Kingdom
Membership:
Adult Member
Sport:
Football/Soccer
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Description

This is a session designed to improve players' ability to create overloads to progress through the thirds

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Technical passing

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Technical passing
This session includes animated drill(s)
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Technical passing15 mins

Topic

  • Creating overloads to progress through the thirds

PRINCIPLE

  • Opposites and third-man combinations

TIME

  • 4 x 3-minute blocks with 60 seconds’ rest between

PLAYERs

  • 8

space/equipment

  • 30 x 25 yards/Cones, 2 mannequins, balls

DESCRIPTION

  • This is a technical passing exercise with two different sequences, both related to creating overloads and combination play.

  • Sequence 1: For the first sequence, the player on Cone A passes to the player on Cone B, who sets it back to the player at Cone A. This player then passes it wide to the player who has moved off Cone C. Players should rotate after each repetition, moving to the next cone in alphabet order: Cone A, Cone B, Cone C, Cone D, Cone B, Cone E, Cone A.

  • Two balls should be going at the same time, with a second player at Cone D playing into a second player at Cone B to start in the opposite direction. This brings in the player at Cone E.

  • The exercise can be done in one or two touches. The importance is on quality of pass and timing of movement, so take as many touches as the play requires.

  • Sequence 2: Here, the player on Cone A passes to the player on Cone C, who then sets to the player on Cone B. The player at Cone B then passes to the player at Cone A, who offers support before playing a through ball in behind the mannequin towards the player at Cone C, who is running in behind. They then play through to one of the players at Cone D.
  • As in the previous sequence, a second ball is played from the opposite side and incorporates the player at Cone E. Also as before, the players should rotate after each repetition, moving to the next cone in alphabet order: Cone A, Cone B, Cone C, Cone D, Cone B, Cone E, Cone A.

Coaching Points

  • Pass quality: Demand crisp passes with the appropriate speed to help facilitate the next pass for a teammate. It is important to maintain a good rhythm to the exercise, so players should play off one touch where possible.
  • Offering support: When offering support, receivers should initiate movement in the opposite direction of where they would like to receive the pass. This movement is especially important in live game situations, to create both time and space in which to receive. When moving to offer support underneath a teammate to receive a set, it is important to keep good distance (5-8 yards) away from the teammate setting the ball to not attach a defender to the ball-carrier. Changing pace to lose a marker and then readjusting the feet and slowing down before receiving is important to facilitating clean technical actions with the ball.
  • Wall-passes: When executing the wall pass, it is important that both players remain visually connected. As the player at Cone C receives the ball, they should look to take a touch towards the mannequin to ‘engage’ it, while the player at Cone B moves to offer support. The player at Cone C should then look to pass to their teammate’s forward foot to facilitate the wall pass. Once the pass is played, they should quickly change pace to accelerate beyond the mannequin. That pass must be played towards the space that the player at Cone B is running into, so that they can receive in stride and keep playing forward.
  • Third-man combination: When executing the third-man combination to receive in behind the mannequin, all three players must remain visually connected and maintain good distances that give them space to execute the move. The player at Cone C should look to run in behind the mannequin when the player at Cone A is about to play the pass in behind, to arrive in the space behind the mannequin with good timing and speed.
Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4v4+4 Possession game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4v4+4 Possession game
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4v4+4 Possession game15 mins

Topic

  • Creating overloads to progress through the thirds

PRINCIPLE

  • Opposites and third-man combinations

TIME

  • 4 x 3-minute blocks, with 90 seconds’ rest between

PLAYERs

  • 12

space/equipment

  • 45 x 35 yards/Flat markers, bibs, balls

DESCRIPTION

  • This 4v4 +4 general possession game is set up with two teams of four and four neutral players (green in the animation), on a pitch split into three zones.

  • The four neutral players play for whichever team is in possession and are expected to remain as close to their lines as possible. Both teams will be training the same concepts in the practice.

  • The practice will always begin in two of the three zones, meaning one end zone is always free apart from the neutral player on the line. In the animation, play begins in Zone 1.

  • The objective is to use possession to progress through each third. In doing so, the team in possession with be rewarded.

  • When play progresses from Zone 1 to Zone 2, players should make runs to ensure that Zone 3 is then inhabited and Zone 1 becomes free.
  • Each player, including neutral players, should have a maximum of three touches in possession.
  • When the team defending recovers the ball, they must reset possession with one of the neutral players on the nearest end line.
  • Connect six passes to score one point. Connect at least one pass in each of the thirds consecutively to earn three points. Connect at least one pass in each of the thirds consecutively to earn three points. 

Coaching Points

  • Positioning: The ideal shape for the team in possession (including neutral players) is 1-2-1-2-1-1. This creates 4v2 overloads in the zones, which should allow for controlled progress through the thirds. The idea is to keep the central lane free for the neutral players, in order to create triangles and diamonds through which the ball can be moved.
  • Pass quality: On all passes, demand crisp passes with the appropriate speed to help facilitate the next pass for a teammate. It is important to maintain a good rhythm, so play off one touch where possible. If the timing is off or a poor pass is played, take a second or a third touch.
  • Body shape: It is important for both neutral and wide players to maintain a side-on body shape so they can scan the pitch and identify the free spaces to attack. This will enable control towards the free spaces and easier progress through the thirds.
  • Opposites: When progressing through the thirds, it is important to use opposites. Pass wide in order to find the space back inside, or pass centrally to then play wide towards the free man. Using the concept of opposites can move defenders and create space to play through them.
  • Third-man combinations: Creating triangles and diamonds will help facilitate third-man combinations – for example, neutral player to neutral player and setting the ball wide to a support player in the side lane. The idea is to play to the furthest free player, who can then set the ball to a teammate facing forward. This third man will be able to make a better decision with the ball, receiving facing forward with time and space.
  • Travel together: As the team progresses with the ball, it is important to remain connected as a team, keeping good distances to ensure optimal ball circulation. When the team progresses into the free zone with the ball, the players furthest from the ball must quickly change pace to keep the distances close, ready for the next passing sequence or to apply counter-pressure.
Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 7+GK v 7+GK +1 Conditioned Game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 7+GK v 7+GK +1 Conditioned Game
This session includes animated drill(s)
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7+GK v 7+GK +1 Conditioned Game15 mins

Topic

  • Creating overloads to progress through the thirds

PRINCIPLE

  • Opposites and third-man combinations

TIME

  • 3 x 4-minute blocks, with 90 seconds’ rest between

PLAYERs

  • 15 plus 2 goalkeepers

space/equipment

  • 60 x 50 yards/Flat markers, bibs, balls, two full-size goals

DESCRIPTION

  • This conditioned game builds on the previous practice of playing through the thirds, in a more open context.

  • Two teams of seven (plus goalkeepers) compete, with a single neutral player (blue in the animation) playing for whichever team is in possession. Both teams will be training the same concepts throughout the flow of the practice.

  • Defensively, teams should set up in a 1-2-2-1-2 formation.
  • Both with attacking and defending, each team must have at least one outfield player in each of the three zones at any one time.
  • There are no touch restrictions, although whichever team is in possession should be encouraged to move the ball as quickly as possible.
  • The offside rule is in effect in the final third for each team in possession.
  • Regular scoring for both teams is worth one goal.
  • Connecting a pass in each third and then scoring is worth three goals.

Coaching Points

  • Positioning: The ideal shape for the team in possession (including neutral players) is 1-2-1-2-1-1. This creates 4v2 overloads in the zones, which should allow for controlled progress through the thirds. The idea is to keep the central lane free for the neutral players, in order to create triangles and diamonds through which the ball can be moved.
  • Pass quality: On all passes, demand crisp passes with the appropriate speed to help facilitate the next pass for a teammate. It is important to maintain a good rhythm, so play off one touch where possible. If the timing is off or a poor pass is played, take a second or a third touch.
  • Body shape: It is important for both neutral and wide players to maintain a side-on body shape so they can scan the pitch and identify the free spaces to attack. This will enable control towards the free spaces and easier progress through the thirds.
  • Opposites: When progressing through the thirds, it is important to use opposites. Pass wide in order to find the space back inside, or pass centrally to then play wide towards the free man. Using the concept of opposites can move defenders and create space to play through them.
  • Third-man combinations: Creating triangles and diamonds will help facilitate third-man combinations – for example, neutral player to neutral player and setting the ball wide to a support player in the side lane. The idea is to play to the furthest free player, who can then set the ball to a teammate facing forward. This third man will be able to make a better decision with the ball, receiving facing forward with time and space.
  • Travel together: As the team progresses with the ball, it is important to remain connected as a team, keeping good distances to ensure optimal ball circulation. When the team progresses into the free zone with the ball, the players furthest from the ball must quickly change pace to keep the distances close, ready for the next passing sequence or to apply counter-pressure.

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85
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