Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B - Coach Task 4

Technical (20 mins)

Passing Pattern - Breaking Lines Technical - 12 Mins

Organisation

• Players are set up, spread out behind the four corner cones with four players occupying the square presented in the middle. 
• In a figure of 8 shape, players pass the ball and follow their pass. 
• Players 1 and 5 play the first pass at the same time. 
• After players 2 and 6 have released the ball during the first rep, 2 more balls will be played from positions 1 and 5 to have 4 balls rolling at all times. 

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions)

• Progressions can include one-twos as the corners, turns in the middle, weak foot passing, one and two touch conditions. 
• Players can also be given almost autonomy during this drill, where they will decide what run they wish to make, what pass and how they will receive the ball. 
• Targets can be set for players and the game can be made competitive too by setting a limit on mistakes or a target number of reps. 

Coaching Points

• Focus must be on the pace of the ball, players position and body shape, and team communication and cohesion. 
• The Drill focuses on breaking lines, so body position and angle to receive the ball in order to play forward is extremely important. 

SSG 1 (25 mins)

SSG: Break the lines - Playing Up, Round or Through the Thirds - 20 mins

Description 

• 6 v 6 with the pitch split into thirds. 
• The ball will always start with the GK, players must play the ball through all three thirds to get a shot on goal in the final third.
• Initially, players will be locked into their zones, however the middle players can move anywhere on the pitch. 
• When possession is lost, players must get the ball back to their GK before building up and breaking lines to go forwards, this can be done with a longer pass back to the GK. 

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions)

• To progress, players will stop being locked in, anyone can go anywhere, dribbling through lines will be allowed as well as passing, shots will be allowed to be taken from any third. 
• To keep the theme of breaking lines prevalent, goals where the ball has been passed through each third without skipping an area will will be worth two points.

Coaching Points 

• Ball speed, passing detail, off ball movement, playing forwards, creativity. 
• Feedback will be concurrent through the game, with terminal feedback delivered during the breaks between progressions. 
• Should the coaching process need to be used, where a problem needs solved immediately, it will be utilised. 

Have fun and Score goals!!!