Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Ontario C Licence

Warm Up

Neural & Technical Preparation) (5 mins)

Organization

- All players are within the box

- 4 balls in play, all in the player's hands

Instructions

Part 1 - Neural Preparation (3 Minutes)

- Players lightly jog within the box

- Players with the ball are asked to pass to the hand of another player (they decide who), using a specific type of pass instructed by the Coach e.g. bounce, under the leg

- Coach changes the type of pass every minute

- Players to shout the name of the player they are passing to

Part 2 - Technical Preparation (4 minutes)

- Players jog around the box, this time, there are 4 balls at feet (2 per color), and players are asked to pass to a player of the same color

- Players to shout the name of the player they are passing to

Coaching Points

- Imitation

- Free expression

Pressing High

Pressing High Up the Pitch, Forcing the ball inside, and Blocking Potential Passes

Objective:

To work on pressing high up the pitch, forcing the ball towards the inside, and blocking the potential diagonal and vertical passes.

Instruction:

In 1/2 of a full-sized pitch, there are 2 mini goals, 4 cones gates illustrated by red lines) in the center and 2 zones with the full-back inside. The Blue players take up the positions indicated by the Red cones.

All restarts from the Goalkeeper.

Formation:

1 Goalkeeper (Red)

4 defenders (Red)

1 target Player (Red)

2 Fowards (Blue)

3 Mid fielder (Blue)

1 Defender (Blue)

The practice starts as the Goalkeeper passes the ball toward one of the red center-backs. As soon as the ball leaves his foot, the winger on the strong side puts pressure on the man in possession and forces the toward the inside (preventing a pass toward the full-back)

The other players try to block the potential passes towards the 3 goals on the strong side.

Scoring system

1-Passing through the Red cone gates scores 1 point.

2-Passing the red cone gate scores 2 points

3-Passing into the mini-goals scores 5 points.

4-Passing to the full-back must receive within the white zone is also worth 5 points

When the Blue players win possession, they try to score within 5 seconds against the red defenders, who should from back quickly and defend.

Red Team will have a Target Player. The target player can be used as an option for an out ball from the defense. The target Player can score on the halfway line on any of the two goals.

Coaching Points:

1: The Blue players need to apply immediate pressure on the ball to win it and take advantage of the High press or win it high up the field before the other defenders have the time to get back.

2: The first Blue player to close down the Red Centre back should use their body shape to force the pass towards the inside instead of one side of the pitch.

3: Appropriate positioning with good communication is needed to block potential passing options.

4: There is a need for quick and accurate finishing

     Coaching Points

     Pressing and Supporting

• The Striker needs to set the tempo, putting pressure on the ball at the right times to guide the opposition to one side of the field or win the ball. Players must support the Striker's run to prevent forward passes.

  Compactness

• Players need to keep a compact shape, preventing the pass through the middle gate as a priority (in a game, this is where the goal would be). They must maintain the correct distances as they slide and screen while the Striker compacts the team vertically.

  Cover and Balance

• Players must cover as a team together depending on the ball's position, creating a compact unit.

  Control and Restraint

• Defenders should always look to keep the ball in front of them, preventing forward passes and staying together as a unit.

Final Game

Full Game (25 mins)

Set-Up

• 20 mins
• 12-16 players
• Two balls
• 6-8 Pinnies
• Six cones
• Half Sized Field

Instructions

Set up the practice as shown in the above image and split the group into two teams.

Position each team with a Full-Back, Central Midfielder, Wide Player, and Striker.

The ball starts with one of the goalkeepers at all times, playing out from the back.

Core Learning Objectives

    Supporting Positions

• Defenders are supporting the pressing need to consider where the play may go and anticipate how they can win the ball back by either man-marking or cutting passing lines for the attacker in possession.

  Immediate Reaction 

• The closest player to the ball must apply pressure, with the 2nd player providing depth and cover. The 2nd player must be close enough to provide cover if the first player is beaten and able to get across to the second attacker should the ball be played square.

  Body Control

• The player defending must be able to react quickly to a change of direction from the attackers by keeping the weight on the balls of their feet. They must move their feet quickly to maintain an angled body shape and continue to force the attacker away from where most options are on the pitch.

  Setting traps: The striker should look to guide the attacking team to one side when in defensive shape to set traps on the side to win the ball back.

  Blocking the passing Lines: Players need to remain compact with good balance and good balance and cover preventing the opposition from playing forward and through the team.

  Support Behind: When in defensive shape, players must provide depth behind the first press to support and coverer whilst looking to prevent possession into the opposition