Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Using the 9 to combine with wide areas

(Optional) fun first touch warmup

Setup: A 15 x 15 yd square per 5 persons. 1 ball sits untouched in the center of square. 2 playing balls are on the outside starting on opposite sides. 1 player in the middle and four on the outside.

Game: Outside player A begins by sending a hard and rolling pass to center player attempting to hit the middle ball. The center player takes a turning first touch and passes ball out to a player without a ball. Player B must wait til center plays pass out, and then can immediately send pass in to hit center ball.

Center player can take play 1st or 2nd touch out.

Scoring: Center player continuous takes good first touch, passes out, turns to get next ball. Center player stays in until someone hits center ball or 1 minute.

Coaching:

- Center player must stay active and be quick to second ball

- Reiterate rule that second ball cannot be played in until the center player has played the first ball out.

- Rolling, Accuracy, and Pace is key for outside players to hit center ball. Pace critical for middle player to work on touch.

- Center player must be soft on touch or their touch will take them further from center, and they will lose.

Possession to Penetration Rondo

Focus: Teaches possession looking for penetration without forcing play. And teaches 9, 7, and 11 movement and timing of runs in a multiple rep style.

Setup: Two 20x20 yd boxes with two 5 yd gaps between the boxes. 6v6. Original setup = blue team 3 vs 1 red defender in first box. 2 red defenders in first gap. Other 6 in the other box.

Game: Blue team starts with the ball in a 3v1 rondo in the box. They must get 3 passes and then they can look to play forward through the 2 red defenders in the first gap to their 9 in the second gap. The 9 times run into the second gap by watching passes in the big box. As soon as a 9 runs forward, the 7 and 11 run wide outside of their box. If pass makes it through to the 9, they take a good touch and play it wide to either the 7 or 11. Then blue player with the ball plays it to the red 3 in their box, and the opposite 7 or 11 for blue steps into play defense. While the blue 9 and 7 or 11 play as the two defenders in first gap. Thus, game restarts going the opposite direction with red in possession. (Simplified: 3 passes = play to 9 = play it wide to 7 or 11 (outside of box) = play it in to other team's 3 = continuous play/rotation)

Any time a defense wins possession, they get a free pass back to their starting zone of 3. If they just kick it out, then allow current possession to restart with new ball. 7, 9 and 11 assignment is optional.

Scoring: Each successful passing sequence that gets to the 7 or 11 = 1 point. Play to 3 and restart after coaching points.

Coaching:

- 7, 9, and 11 should be moving around in soccer movement, waiting for cue of 2 passes to make their runs. Avoid being stagnant. (Look for cues and time run)

- After 3 passes, there is no need to force play. Make 6 or more passes if needed and wait for good penetration opportunity. (possession until penetration is available.)

- 9 should scan, plan, and play while making their move to the gap. "HAVE A PLAN before ball arrives"

- Give the game some time to be learned before over coaching on points.

- Have players rotate freely to 2 defenders in gap or 3 waiting in the box as game is being played.