Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending The Final Third- Free Play

Screen 1

Primary Focus:Defending the Final Third- Free Play

Organisation: Balls, two mini goals, fixed goal, server, cones, flat discs.

Area Size: 2/3rds pitch, full width.

Player No's: 8 reds, 8 blues, GK on the red team. Reds are in a GK-4-3-1(missing their wide players from the 11v11) Blues are in a 2x FBs,MF3, Front 3 (missing 2x CBs and GK from the 11v11).

Timings: 25 mins in total, 3x7 minutes work with 2 minutes rest.

Explanation:The ball still starts with the server. The blues can now decide how and where they attack. The reds should now be better prepared to deal with either problem set in the previous two blocks. 

Scoring/competition: The blues will get a goal if the score naturally by scoring through the central area or if they score after creating a 2v1 in a wide area. The reads will get a goal if they can score within the managed countdown on the counter attack.

Key Points: As previous screens, the reds should be better prepared now for either wide or central attacks. The coach will continually measure the reds against the game plan and will coach should they step outside of the solutions worked on previously.