Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Minhang Earthquakes, Microcycle 1, Session 4

Technique (15 mins)

Objectives

Open reception technique

First Touch - Decision Making

Organisation

- Split into groups of 3/4 to each set

- Two passing players start on both sides of the receiving player in the middle

- Drill starts by receiving player ‘backing out’ to either red cone

- Passing player passes to the receiving player in the middle who then transfers ball to the player on opposite side

- Middle player returns to the middle area and repeats the 'backing out' movement to create new passing angle

-Switch roles every 2-3 minutes or 8 passes

- If groups of 4, players follow their pass to allow rotation.

- Note: if tempo is slow play competition between sets, first to 10 passes etc.

Progression B

If pass is played to front foot, play a return pass back to the starting player

If pass is played to the back foot, receive out and play to the opposite side

If pass is played centrally can I dummy the ball and play to the opposite side?

Decision: Can I play 1 or 2 touch?

Progression C

Using the previous decisions the middle player can also setup a wall pass to play to opposite side at any time. New player then rotates to middle position.

Coaching Points

Receiving player should 'back out' to receive

High tempo movement, should be ready in position before the pass arrives

Emphasise 1 & 2 touch passing

Match - Receiving in game situation (15 mins)

Forward passes in 6v6 +1 - Organisation & Setup:

- Use 6v6 pitch if numbers are appropriate

- Players setup a back 3 and a front 2

- Setup a neutral CM on halfway

- Players are limited to their half apart from CM who stays on halway area until active

- Ball starts from either GK, team tries to work the ball (ideally) through the CM (can also play direct into striker) into attacking half and finish on goal.

*Encourage players to receive with an open body and on the correct foot

*Encourage CM to play with an open body / dummy to spin into the attacking half

Progression

- Finish with a normal 6v6+1 if odd number of players keep a neutral player