Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Union U12 10/28/25 - Intensive - Attacking Combination Play
Philadelphia Union
James Barnes
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15 mins
Technical - Combination Play
SET UP:
- Players set up in a 2-4-2
- Doubled up on full backs and 9's
- Combination play to goal
- Wide combination and central combination
DURATION:
- 3x4 Min Rounds
- Final round of 5 balls each competition
SCORING:
- 1 point per goal
CONSTRAINTS:
- In competition round, players cannot use same combination three times in a row
PRINCIPLES:
- FORWARD FIRST
SUB PRINCIPLES
- SHIELDING THE BALL
- WHEN AND HOW TO USE ONE TOUCH LAY OFF
- HOLD UP PLAY
- TIMING OF RUNS INTO TARGETED AREAS
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Tactical Situation - Combination Play to Goal
SET UP:
- 3V3 (Red's Vs Blues)
- Game starts by central player playing to horizontal red for a 2v1 in the first zone
- Reds can play beyond the half way line into the other zone and then join the attack to create a 3v2
- The aim in to combine with one and two touch play to break opposition last line to then get to goal
DURATION:
- 10 balls then rotate positions
- 3 rounds then final round of 5 balls, competition between each group
SCORING:
- 1 point per successful combination
CONSTRAINTS:
- Defenders must stay in their zone
- Attackers can move into either zone
- One #9 must stay high in second zone if other drops in
PRINCIPLES:
- FORWARD FIRST
SUB PRINCIPLES
- SHIELDING THE BALL
- WHEN AND HOW TO USE ONE TOUCH LAY OFF
- HOLD UP PLAY
- TIMING OF RUNS INTO TARGETED AREAS
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
15 mins
2-2-2+2 - Combination Play Game
SET UP: 36x65 (20-30-20) two 9v9 goals at each end.
DURATION: 5x3 minute games.
FLOW: Restarts begin with goalkeepers - offside line in play (get defenders high) - Defensive team cannot enter the defensive third until the ball does. Middle zone is two touch max
SCORING: +1 for goal
PROGRESSIONS: Last 3 rounds - No touch restriction
PRINCIPLES:
- FORWARD FIRST
SUB PRINCIPLES
- SHIELDING THE BALL
- WHEN AND HOW TO USE ONE TOUCH LAY OFF
- HOLD UP PLAY
- TIMING OF RUNS INTO TARGETED AREAS
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
20 mins
Three Zone Game
SET UP:
- 50 x 40
DURATION:
- 4x4 Minute games
SCORING:
- 1 point if players score in regular play. 3 points if players score by playing into the #9, combine and then score.
CONSTRAINTS:
- CB's cannot play back to GK. Free play in middle zone. #9 has one touch when he initially receives the ball (Open it up to unlimited if needed).
PRINCIPLES:
- FORWARD FIRST
SUB PRINCIPLES
- SHIELDING THE BALL
- WHEN AND HOW TO USE ONE TOUCH LAY OFF
- HOLD UP PLAY
- TIMING OF RUNS INTO TARGETED AREAS