Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Shooting & Defending

Shooting I (10 mins)

Shooting 1

Practice Organisation

-Area 15x10yds, with appropriate size goal at one end, as illustrated.

-4 Players (Incl. GK), arranged, 2 Attackers v 1 Defender, as shown in the diagram

-Practice starts with: D passes ball forward into 2 A’s

-Receiving A controls and passes to partner who attacks the goal 1v1

-D moves forward to defend goal in tandem with GK

-Practice continues until ball goes dead

-A’s and D’s rotate roles and practice recommences with initial set-up arrangements.

Detail

-Receiving, controlling and passing to partner enables D to move forward and establish a realistic defensive position

-Furthermore: it will create varying levels of pressure on A, determined by partner’s efficiency of control.

-Angle, distance and communication between A’s to best deal with incoming long pass from D

-Simple progressions for this practice are:

-- D plays ball into space for A’s to collect and organise on the move.

-- Develop 2v1 in existing organisation to further challenge D and A’s use of support.

-- Change the shape of practice area (long and narrow, or wide and shallow)

-- Build number of players in practice (and hence complexity of options/challenges)

Key Coaching Points

-Accuracy and quality of initial pass from D to A’s, served with pace and precision.

-Receiving A getting into line of ball and receiving with good 1st touch, using appropriate controlling surface.

-Early decision from receiving A on where and how to play pass to supporting team mate that will make it easier to receive and take ball on.

-Positive and early decision from A, on best way to take ball past D to create an opportunity to shoot at goal.

-Consideration of position of GK and how that will affect choice of attacking move to score.

U9’s – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes under passive pressure.

U10’s – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes at pace, under passive pressure.

U11’s – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes with increased pace, under passive pressure.

Shooting & Defending I (15 mins)

Shooting & Defending I

Practice Organisation

-Area 25x25yds, with 5yd channel across full with marked with ones and goals t each end, set out as illustrated.

-14 Players (incl. 2GK’s), with outfield players arranged in 2 teams of 6.

-Each team has 2 Attackers & 4 Defenders.

-10 balls (5 balls for each team), move to collect a ball from the central area.

-On collection: D moves from edge of area to defend (making 2v1).

-Once attack has concluded: 2A’s collect 2nd ball and new D enters area to combat.

-A’s have 5 attacks, with different D’s against each attack.

-Practice is mirrored in other half of practice area.

-Players rotate roles and repeat practice.

Detail

-Area can be modified, depending on age and ability of players.

-Early decision to shoot from distance or move nearer to goal before the strike.

-Moving quickly but under control when moving forward.

-Timing and accuracy of pass to other attacker.

-How to bear the GK (techniques to use).

-Looking for finishing rebounds.

-Simple progression for this practice are:

-- Coach may vary overload (A/D ratio) depending on level of ability of individual players.

-- Allow 2nd D to enter.

-- Bring 3 Ds into area (1 from front, 2 from side) to increase intensity

Key Coaching Points

-A’s scan to assess position and movement of D

-Quickly move into goal-scoring range

-Evaluate which A is best position to score and either take shot or pass.

-Look to eliminate D with individual skill move or clever movement off ball

-Assess position of GK

U9’s – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes under passive pressure.

U10’s – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes at pace, under passive pressure.

U11’s – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes with increased pace, under passive pressure.

Receiving to shoot (20 mins)

Receiving to shoot

Practice Organisation

-Area 30x50yds, with 2 narrow penalty area & appropriate size goal at each end, separated by safe zone of approx. 5/6yds, as illustrated.

-14 players (Incl. 2GK’s), arranged 2 Attackers versus 3 Defenders in each penalty area.

-2 Neutral players in central safe zone.

-Supply of balls with each GK.

-Offside line can be determined where appropriate (line drawn or normal rules apply)

-Practice starts with: GK serves ball to an N, who in turn, plays into either pair of forwards.

-Forwards look to combine and shoot from within designated attacking area.

-Change roles of players at appropriate time.

Detail

-Overload can be adapted, depending on age and ability of players

-Monitor physical load on GK’s

-Simple progressions for this practice are:

-- N’s combine before passing to a forward.

-- If D’s win ball: they can counter-attack with a pass into their own forwards

-- N can move into area to create 3v3

-N shoots (e.g. with 2 touches) from middle zone.

-GK rolls-out to D’s who play directly into forwards.

Key Coaching Points

-N’s looking forward “best pass” into forwards and focus on pass selection and execution

-Forwards looking to create space to receive and evade D’s

-Awareness of position of D’s

-Looking for clever play (turning ball around corners, feints, quick turns to shoot, wall-passes etc) and combinations with team mate.

U9’s – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes under passive pressure.

U10’s – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes at pace, under passive pressure.

U11’s – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes with increased pace, under passive pressure.