Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): United Soccer Coaches - Change of Direction
RBNY Academy Inc
Juan Figueira
Description
Coach Juan Figueira Bio: Juan is currently a Coach Education Manager with the New York Red Bulls. He has been part of the New York Red Bulls Youth Programs since 2018. He holds a US Soccer C-License and United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma.
Coach Max Dubane Bio: Max is currently the Senior Manager of Education for the New York Red Bulls Youth Programs. He joined the club in 2010 and is currently assistant coach with the U14 Academy team. He holds a US Soccer B-License, UEFA B license, and a United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma.
The Learning Outcome of this session is for the midfielders (6, 8, 10) to identify overloaded areas so that they can change direction and attack the open space, to break lines from the middle third into the attacking third.
What: Identifying overloaded areas and changing direction to keep possession.
Where: From middle third to attacking third (as depth decreases and width remains constant).
Who: Midfielders (6, 8, 10, 2, 3).
When: Approaching a 1st defender, or recognizing an overloaded area.
Why: Exploit and attack open space with speed to create goal-scoring chances.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
15 mins
Organization:
- 12x12-yard grid, divided in 3 horizontal and vertical equidistant channels (4x12y).
- Total Playing Area: 16x16-yard grid used as end/scoring zone.
- 2 teams of 4 for 4v4 (or adjust as necessary).
- Four 3-minute intervals (1-minute rest): 16 minutes total.
- KPIs: point-system (1 point = 1 change of direction).
Instructions:
- 4v4: Players score by dribbling out through the gates (1 point). Once they score, attacker can play again with a pass in, or dribble in.
Coaching Points/Questions:
- Scan before coming in contact with ball to recognize where space may be.
- Recognize angle of approach from defender.
- Spatial awareness and first defender.
- Accelerate by taking longer touches into the open space.
- Acceleration vs Deceleration to prepare/anticipate next action based on where pressure/overloads are.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
15 mins
Organization:
- 4v4 or adjust as necessary.
- 16x16 yard playing zone including end-zones (playing grid is 16x12y)
- 2x6-minute interval (1-minute rest): 14 minutes total.
Instructions:
- 4v4: teams score by dribbling into the end-zone (1 point).
- Condition: No forward pass allowed.
- Once team scores on one end-zone, it keeps possession and has to score on opposite end-zone. When a team recovers possession, it can score on either endzone.
- One team attacks west, remaining team attacks east.
Coaching Points/Questions:
- Scan before coming in contact with ball to recognize where space may be.
- Recognize angle of approach from defender.
- Spatial awareness and first defender.
- Accelerate by taking longer touches into the open space.
- Quality of 'exit touch' - dribble to penetrate vs dribble to finish.
Progressions:
- Teams can score on mini goal after dribbling into end-zone for 2 points.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
20 mins
Organization:
- 24x24 yard field.
- 4v4.
- 2 mini-goals.
- 1 ball.
- Two 9-minute halves.
Instructions:
- Match: FIFA Rules
Coaching Points/Questions:
- Emphasize prior coaching points.
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
10 mins
Organization:
Instructions:
Coaching Points/Questions:
Progressions - (1) & (2) Included in animations: