Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): IDP Practice - Thomas Broadhurst.

Phase 1

Focus + Session design

• 3 Phase Practice - Focusing on recovery runs and 1v1 defending & Attacking actions in F3rd,Finishing & Attacking 1v1 skills. 
• Phase 1 - Ball is slid down the line for defender to perform recovery run and look to play down line into goal on 2 touches (Focusing on 3 different ball striking techniques), At the same time the attacker performs a move to beat mannequin and shoots from edge of box against GK.
• Phase 2 - Once defender has cleared first ball they will sprint back to touch mannequin, as this happens the attacker will travel down the line and look to cross into far goal, defender is tasked with recovering to make contact and prevent crosses. 
• Phase 3 - Attacker and defender run back to top mannequin and create a 1v1 to goal. 

Progressions/Regressions

• Points system - Players are partnered up so will score against eachother, 
• Phase 1 - Goal = 1 Point, 
• Phase 2 = Defending cross = 1 & Delivering cross = 1,
• Phase 3 - Attacking goal = 1, preventing shot = 1. 

Coaching detail

• Phase 1 = Max effort recovery to keep ball in play, Controlled first touch across mannequin to prepare for clearance, Firm strike for clearance maintaining quality and detail to ensure it reaches halfway line, Keeping standing foot close to ball when in transit to ensure player is not needing to reach for it. 
• Fast actions for attacker when looking to beat mannequin and get shot off, Close ball control to ensure shots can be taken quickly (Becoming unpredictable). 
• Phase 2 - Max effort when recovering so defender can stay in a position to prevent cross, Keeping attacker wide and preferably on less dominant foot. Staying close and making contact in suitable location, Deny any opportunities for attacker to enter box when possible, Using touchline as extra defender. 
• Close ball control and protection skills when attacker on the ball, Looking for opportunities to deliver or cut inside, Defender over commits can we chop inside, Defender stays on back foot can we cut across him and enter the box. 
• Phase 3 - Being hard to beat when defending, can we force attacker onto less dominant foot, and show away from goal, maintaining patience and not jumping early or letting attacker "Fix you up". 
• Fast and unpredictable with the ball, using facing moves when given opportunities to put defenders off balance, then can we get shots off quickly when opportunities open up. Always trying to keep the ball on dominant foot when possible but being brave to use both when needed. 
• Theme of identifying triggers/signals to act, i.e attacker has heavy touch can we steal the ball, Defender loses balance can we beat him etc. 

Non-negotiables under focus

• Dominating 1v1's,
• Playing with both feet, 
• Making contact to regain.

Phase 3

Coaching detail

• Phase 3 - Being hard to beat when defending, can we force attacker onto less dominant foot, and show away from goal, maintaining patience and not jumping early or letting attacker "Fix you up".
• Fast and unpredictable with the ball, using facing moves when given opportunities to put defenders off balance, then can we get shots off quickly when opportunities open up. Always trying to keep the ball on dominant foot when possible but being brave to use both when needed.