Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Possession and Transition Principles

SAQ / Technical (10 mins)

Organization: Set up 6 grids with four teams of three, can vary depending on numbers. SAQ portion will be in the middle two grids.

Activity: Players will be passing and moving in their grid until the coach yells, play as soon as that happens players will leave the ball in the grid quickly getting through the SAQ and moving on to the other side. Switch places with team across from you. Use different activities through the SAQ equipment.

Coaching Points: raise core temperature, awareness, change of pace, mentally prepare for session

Pattern 3 (10 mins)

Set Up: In roughly a 30 x 30 area, two diamonds back to back, 1 player at each cone, at least 2 players at the start cone. Size of diamonds can vary based on level, desired outcome [balls, cones]

Organization: Pattern is as follows: 1 - 2 - 1 - 4 - 3 - 1 - 4; repeat in other direction

Coaching Points: weight of passes [especially final pass], movement off cones, body shape, timing of passes and movements, communication, angles of support, layoff vs. firm passes, two touch vs. one touch.

8 v 8 + 2 (30 mins)

Setup: Space is roughly 40 x 40, divided into 4 quadrants. 18 players total for a 8 v 8 + 2 neutral setup. [balls, pinnies, cones].

Organization: Teams play 8 v 8 with 2 neutral players on either end. Team in possession can use the neutrals to try and complete 8 - 12 consecutive passes for a goal. The only rule is that there cannot be more than 3 passes within a specific quadrant.

Progressions: [1] playing from one neutral to another is a goal, [2] 3 passes in a quadrant is a goal, would need to increase number allowed in a quadrant, [3] teams need to keep one player in each quadrant, [4] place goals at end, open play.

CP's: quick transition moments, movement off the ball to make the field big, team pressing, passing and receiving, maintaining width and depth, focus, mentality, communication, speed of play.