Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): MIFC U6's 21/05/2025 (Start Time: 2025-05-21 17:00:00)

FAW Coach Ed

Kris Farren

Profile Summary

Name:	Kris Farren
City:	Mynydd Isa
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

Defending

1. Get in Line
2. Pressure on the ball
3. Deceleration
4. Body Position
5. Stay on toes
6. Be Patient
7. Decision
8. Recovery Runs (Movement)
9. Tracking Players

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 1v1 Practice

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1v1 Practice (15 mins)

Set Up

6 x players
2 x mini goals
2 x orange cones

Drill

This practice should use six players per box – each measuring 20 yards by 15 yards – but it can be replicated to involve all players in a session.
The ball begins with Player A, who passes the ball through the legs of their teammate in front of them, as shown in the diagram.
This teammate – Player B – is facing Player C, who will receive the pass.
Once Player C receives the pass, they will travel with the ball around either of the orange cones, as shown in the diagram.
As soon as the ball has travelled through their legs and is in play, Player B can begin to chase Player C to win the ball.
Once Player C has travelled around a cone, they must turn and attempt to score in one of the mini goals at the top end of the playing area to earn their team a point.
If at any point Player B wins the ball, they unlock the mini goals for their team and the game continues as a 1v1 against Player C.
Player B must also travel around the cone with the ball, as Player C did.
Once the ball is deemed dead, then rotate the players around.
The coach can progress the game to allow Player A to defend the mini-goals too. This can become a 1v2, or even a 2v2 by using another player from Player C's team.
Play for four blocks of two to three minutes, alternating active players between phases and switching players’ roles between blocks.

Coaching detail (out of possession)

Effort and energy

A key priority for players making recovery runs is to give maximum energy in order to make contact with the ball-carrier.

Contact with the dribbler

As soon as possible, the chaser must try to make contact with the ball-carrier, using an arm or the side of their body.

This will slow them down and allow a chance for a duel.

Delay the attack

If they are unable to win the ball, the defender can instead try to delay the attack.

The coach may want to add a shot clock, counting down to allow the defender a point if they successfully delay the attacker within the time allotted.

1v1 defending

If and when they are able to make contact, the defender should now try to guide their opponent away from the gates or steal the ball.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Wave Game

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Wave Game (20 mins)

Set Up

This wave game is a 2v2 with two goalkeepers.

It takes place on a pitch measuring 22 yards by 20 yards, with two full-sized goals and a halfway line.

Drill

The ball begins with Player A, as shown in the diagram. They play into their striker, B, in the opposite half.
Having passed the ball, A will join their striker to launch an attack against Player C, who is marking the striker.
Player D will make a recovery run to help their teammate defend, creating a 2v2.
The attacking team must try to score in the goal, while the defending team try to win the ball and attack the opposite goal.
In this event, the defending team will have five seconds to score once they break into the opposite half.
As soon as this attack is finished, the same attack will be launched from the other side, with new players beginning with the ball and passing into their striker.
Once players have finished their go, they will move to the next role. This being: passer becomes striker; striker moves to the back of the opposite line.
Each set can last for two or three minutes, as there will be high-intensity runs.
Try to avoid queues of more than two players.
There can be many ways to progress this practice, such as delaying the recovery run or giving them a head-start based on the needs of the players.
The coach may also want to constrain the 1v1, such as requiring the attacker to set quickly, or to hold on to the ball for longer, or by limiting the defender’s actions.

Coaching detail (out of possession)

Direction of recovery
The recovering defender needs to decide if it is best to recover back towards the goal or towards the ball.

Recovering towards the goal
Because of the starting position of the recovering defender, recovering towards the goal may often be the best decision, in order to support the other defender.

Delay and deny
Recovering back to join the play is not necessarily to win the ball, but to delay the attack.
Players should try to join the other defender, side by side, to delay the attack.

Recovering to spoil
If the ball is switched out to the recovering player’s side, they may be in a position to recover towards the ball and spoil the attack by making contact.

Coaching detail (in possession)

Hold up and link play
The attacking team should consider how to build an effective attack.

This starts with the striker being able to link play with their back to goal.

1v1 attacking
Once attacking, both players will have chances to attack in a 1v1 situation, or combine together to score.

Coaching detail (attacking transition)

Counter-attack
If the recovering player is able to help win the ball, they have a chance to attack quickly to score in the opposite goal.