Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Breaking lines 1

Tennis-themed passing practice15 mins

Topic

• Breaking lines

• Movement to receive between lines of pressure

• 4 games

• 6

• 15 yards x 8 yards; balls, 3 mannequins and flat markers

• This is a themed passing practice in which six players are divided into two teams of three. The playing area is split into two halves, each of which is split into two zones.
• Two players from each team will always occupy the deeper zone, while the third player will be locked into the front zone. Three mannequins are set up along the halfway line.
• The game is similar to tennis, where a point is scored if the ball isn’t returned. This could be if one team successfully plays the ball through and out of the opposite half, if the ball strikes one of the mannequins, or if the ball isn’t correctly returned into the opposite half.
• Players should look to combine and work off their teammate in the front zone. For the first two blocks, the ball can only be passed into the opposition half from the deeper zone, after a set from the player in the front zone.
• The receiving team should look to cut out passing lines the ball may travel through to earn their opponents a point.

• The first team to eight points wins each individual block. Players can rotate positions between each block.

• During blocks three and four, the player in the front zone is now allowed to play into the opposition half – but only when their back faces the mannequins, replicating what could be a clever flick around the corner in a game situation.

• Set detail: The players in high focus are the ones operating in the front zone. They are asked to produce soft sets to allow teammates to produce quality when transferring the ball across.
• Play with both feet: Players are challenged to use both feet to create more opportunities to play through the mannequins. This skill will create more passing lanes.
• Movement to receive: Players are asked to show appropriate movement off the ball to create passing lanes they can then play through with quality.

Themed small-sided game15 mins

Topic

• Breaking lines

• Movement to receive between lines of pressure

   

   

• 2 x 6-minute blocks

• 18, including two goalkeepers

• 50 yards x 30 yards; balls, 2 main goals and flat markers

• This is a small-sided game set up as a 7v7 (including goalkeepers), with four neutral players who play for whichever team has the ball. 
• The pitch is split in half, with a 3v3 and one neutral player in each half. The two other neutral players begin in a small central box, as shown. 
• The coach plays in to one team, who should look to build 4v3 in their own half, transfer play in to the attacking half and score past the opposition goalkeeper. 
• If the possession team plays through the central box, the receiving neutral player can step in to the attacking half with the ball, to create a 5v3 attacking overload. 
• The defending team should aim to regain possession in their attacking half, but also protect the central area so the possession team don’t achieve the extra overload when they attack. 
• If a goal is scored or the ball goes out, play should restart with the possession team’s goalkeeper. 
• The two teams should swap roles between blocks.

• Attracting pressure: The player in possession should look to attract a defender before offloading to a teammate. This will give the receiver time and space to implement their next action, which could be a line-breaking pass. 
• Recognising the pass: The coach should challenge the possession players to select the right pass into the neutral players in the central box. They should play forward at every opportunity, but with quality and the right type of pass. 
• Finishing: Players should look to produce quality when finishing. Showing composure and applying good contact on the ball will result in better chances of scoring.