Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Warm Up - Passing & Possession Combination - Group

Part I (10 mins)

Organization

- 4x cones set up 25 yards apart

- 4x Mannequins set 5 yards up from cone at either end

- 6x Hurdles set up as shown

- 10-12 players set up as shown

- 1 Ball per group (additional on outside)

Activity

- All players from both groups follow the same passing & movement patterns

- Player 1 passes across to 2. After passing 1 runs out to speed poles to complete slaloms

- Player 2 checks to receive pass from 1 & with one touch takes ball across the mannequin

- After passing back across to Player 3 who checks to receive, Player 2 performs two footed spring jumps over hurdles

- Player 3 now has the ball & the process is repeated

- After players move through/over poles & hurdles they perform dynamic stretch movement until they reach the back of line: hamstring swings, lunges, dips etc

- Check, Receive, Pass, Movement & Dynamics!

Coaching Points

- Focus: always be alert, aware & active

- Timing: movement to check & receive the ball. Find passing line away from mannequin

- Touch: prepare feet & body to receive the ball off line to set up next action in one touch

- Pass: accuracy, weight & timing of pass

- Movement: purposeful movement through/over poles & hurdles

- Stretching: execute on dynamic movements correctly

Part III (20 mins)

Organization

- 20x20 area set up as shown (red cones)

- Group A: 7 players (5 Attackers & 2 Defenders)

- Group B: 6 players (3 Team of 2 each with different color)

- 1 Ball per group (additional on outside)

Activity - Group A

- Attacking players (Yellow) set up around the out side of the area with one team mate inside

- Outside players can move anywhere along their line to receive & pass the ball

- Inside Attacker (Yellow) can move freely inside the area & looks for combination opportunities

- Attacking team aim to keep possession of the ball to score points

- (1pts) 8 consecutive passes on the outside (2pts) playing through/across the area using inside Attacker

- Defending players aim to win the ball & keep possession. When this happens 1 Attacker (Yellow) from the outside can enter creating a 2v2.

- If Defenders make 3 consecutive passes they can choose 2 Attackers from the outside to take their place as Defenders

- If Attackers win the ball back they must play to outside team mate & activity repeats with 4 Attackers on the outside

Activity - Group B

- Players work in pairs, with 3 teams each having their own color (see diagram)

- Yellow & Red team are Attackers with Blue team as Defenders

- Attackers must stay on the outside of the area & aim to make 8 consecutive passes

- Defending pair aim to press & win possession of the ball

- If possession is lost a transition occurs, with the color who gave the ball away turning into Defenders

- (See Diagram) Yellow looses possession to Blue. Yellows are now Defenders while Blue are now Attackers & must keep the ball & move to the outside

Coaching Points

- Pass: Accuracy, Weight, Speed & Type

- Possession: Keep the ball rolling & keep it!!

- Touch: Can you play 1st time?

- Receiving: Be alive & ready to receive the ball. Adjust body & feet to play quickly

- Disguise: Use your body & eyes to deceive the defender

- Creative: play off the cuff, feel the game & situation!

Progression

P - Adjust the size of the area: smaller & tighter to increase speed of play & thinking!

P - Touch Limit. Attackers can only play 1 touch maximum