Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Understanding when to retain possession in the build up - Dorset FA U14 (Start Time: 2018-09-19 18:00:00)

Arrival Activity (10 mins)

Session Objective:

- To understand how to use attacking principles in order to retain possession while building an attack that results in a goalscoring opportunity.

Learning Outcomes:

- How to receive the ball in order to try to play forward

- How to receive the ball to retain possession

- How to pass the ball to allow receiving players the best opportunity to play forward

- How to support each other to retain possession with the intention of finishing with a goalscoring opportunity

Technical Introduction:

- Set up 2 x (20x20)

- Minimum 5 players per area.

- Split group into two once there is enough players.

Technical Focus:

Passing:

- Punch or drive pass into next player

- Aim for their back foot/slightly in front of them

Receiving:

- Open body to receive the pass

- First touch = control and set (one step from body)

Whole (20 mins)

- 6v6 game

- 6 = 2-3-1

- 6 = 3-1-2

Technical Focus:

- Body shape to receive the ball to play forward

- First touch to control and prepare the ball for a forward pass where possible.

Units:

Defence - Provide depth in support. Looking to play direct into forward through midfield if possible?

Midfield - Width and movement to link defence to attack; directly or indirectly. Supporting forwards to retain possession as high up the pitch as possible.

Forwards - Height and movement between lines when players look up to play forward. How high up the pitch can possession be retained?

Blue Team:

In Possession:

#5 - Drop and sweep into supporting positions providing depth and safety

#2 & #3 - Provide width and some depth to support #5 and create space for forwards

#8 - Movement between lines to receive behind the line of opposition #9 and link #5 to #2 & #3 or turn to play forward

#9 - Provide the height to stretch the pitch and create space for #8 to turn or #10 to drop and receive. Hold up long forward passes and retain possession through midfield if cannot turn.

#10 - Movement to receive between lines of opposition midfield and pick the ball up in front of the defensive line

Red Team:

#5 & #6 - Provide depth and some width allowing safer passes, support to #1, space from #1 to #8. Refrain from being in square positions.

#2 & #3 - Provide width to create space centrally and support the central players. Movement to get in behind or drop to receive.

#8 - Movement between lines to receive behind the line of opposition #9 & #10 and link #5 & #6 to #2 & #3 or turn to play forward

#9 - Provide height to allow space for the build up. Movement to receive between lines of opposition when teammates look ready to play forward.

Out of possession:

3 second win back press, then drop to defend own half.

Contingency:

- If ball cannot be retained then both teams to play 2-3-1

Whole (20 mins)

Same setup as the first whole to begin with.

Teams can achieve a bonus goal if an attack is built up through every unit of the team.

Players now set individual challenges:

Blue team:

Abbi - Can you switch play between #2 & #3 8 times?

Jaz - Can you make 3 successful passes to #5, #8 and #9?

Molly - Can you make 3 successful passes to #5, #8 and #10?

Summer - Can you link the play between defence and attack 5 times?

Emily - Can you receive and retain possession in the final third 8 times?

Lucy - Can you receive between defence and midfield and play forward 5 times?

Red Team:

Elin - Can you receive 8 passes from midifeld and forward players when they can't go forward?

- Can you prevent Emily from playing forward?

Tegan-Lee - Can you receive 8 passes from midifeld and forward players when they can't go forward?

Pearl - Can you make 3 successful passes to #5, #8 and #9?

Ellie - Can you make 3 successful passes to #6, #8 and #9?

Amelia - Can you switch the play 5 times?

Saskia - Can you receive a pass directly from #5 or #6 and retain possession 5 times?