Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Playing out from the back inc triggers

PLAY A (30 mins)

SESSION TARGET

1. To play the ball out from the back, with simple passes through the team, ending with a shot on goal.

2. Players learn to take the ball on their back foot and so they are ready to move forward.

3. Players to hold or trigger runs based on which teammate has the ball.

METHOD (PLAY A)

1. GK plays ball to player 1, who receives onto back foot, turning as they control the ball.

2. Player 3 holds position to make it look like they are the obvious option (could even call for the ball and take a step forward towards Player 1 as if ready to receive).

3. Player 4 suddenly comes short, triggering player 3 to spin and run up the wing. Player 5 stays higher in centre. 

4. Player 1 passes to Player 4 who receives onto back foot, turning as they control the ball (scan first to ensure nobody is on 4's shoulder!). 

Once 4 has the ball, Player 6 triggers high and wide (should be lots of space due to ball being on opposite side of pitch).

Player 8 triggers slow forward run/start moving, but keep watching Player 4s passing choice.

5. Player 4 now has 4 options:  

PLAY A quick pass onto 3 who is on the run. 

PLAY B through ball to 8 if passing lane is clear.

PLAY C long switch to 6 in space.

PLAY D short pass to 5 if press is too close.

This is PLAY A

6. The ball is played into 3's path. Triggering 8 and 7 to make forward runs and 6 to move in from the wing to edge of box. 4 moves in support of 3, while 5 remains central to cover any counter attack (or vice versa).

7. Player 3 to make choice on best final pass depending on positions of teammates and defenders). However, to optimise opportunities players without the ball should use each other's position to trigger their own.

Player 7 go in for a square cross/pass, 8 stays close/near edge of box for a pull back, 6 to come in from far side of box, 4 deeper but central and available for a shot.

PROGRESSIONS

- Add extra opposition players to make the press more intense or to close passing lanes, forcing players to improvise or switch to an alternate play.

PLAY C (30 mins)

METHOD (PLAY C)

1. GK plays ball to player 1, who receives onto back foot, turning as they control the ball.

2. Player 3 holds position to make it look like they are the obvious option (could even call for the ball and take a step forward towards Player 1 as if ready to receive).

3. Player 4 suddenly comes short, triggering player 3 to spin and run up the wing. Player 5 stays higher in centre.

4. Player 1 passes to Player 4 who receives onto back foot, turning as they control the ball (scan first to ensure nobody is on 4's shoulder!).

Once 4 has the ball, Player 6 triggers high and wide (should be lots of space due to ball being on opposite side of pitch).

Player 8 triggers slow forward run/start moving, but keep watching Player 4s passing choice.

This is PLAY C

5. Player 4 switches to 6 on opposite wing. Play ahead of 6 for them to run onto.

Triggering 8 and 7 to make forward runs and 3 to move in from the wing towards edge of box.

4 remains central to cover any counter attack while 5 supports the attack from edge of box (or vice versa).

7. Player 6 to make choice on best final option depending on positions of teammates and defenders). 6 can pass square to 5, through ball to 7 or longer cross to 8 at far post. 

6 could also shoot if space opens up in front of them.