Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Transition to attack (support and penetration) (Start Time: 2013-09-12 18:15:00)

Play forward

Purpose: Warm up and set the tone for the session (Playing and getting forward - Attacking mentality!)

5 vs 5 + 1 in 35 x 35 central grid

1 target on the outside of grid for each team

Teams of 5 look to keep possession with the help of the neutral player and score by passing into target's feet

Coaching points:

Play simply (2 or 3 touch) but always look to play forward first if possible!

Players off of the ball must constantly move to create space and provide supporting angles

Target player must move laterally to provide forward passing option

Good decisions! Can I play forward? If not, look to move the ball quickly to create space for a teammate to play the target's feet (DO NOT FORCE IT!)

Third man runs 2

Penetration in the final third (getting players "in behind" the opponents back 4)

Purpose: Getting players to recognize when to get forward, specifically past the center forward

2 teams of 5 try to keep possession with the help of the neutral player with the intent of finding the target's feet with a quality pass

A goal is scored by playing into target who passes to supporting teammate who then finds another player(s) making runs into endzone

Coaching points:

Recognition of pressure on the ball - If teammate is under pressure then runs are checked to provide support to player in possession - If player in possession has time and space, then forward runs should begin

Visual cues:

If player in possession has their head up then teammates can begin to make forward runs

As ball travels into target's feet, teammates MUST get forward to support and look to get "in behind"

Example 2

Midfielder A passes to center forward C who receives and lays the ball off to supporting midfielder B - player B plays to winger D who has made forward run to receive ball "in behind" and cross into goal scoring area - Player C spins off toward goal looking for a cross - player A recognizes a potential goal scoring opportunity and makes forward run in front of the goal - opposite winger E reads the situation and makes run to the far post area of the goalmouth

Coaching points:

Quality of pass and first touch

Speed and timing of runs

Communication (call for and DEMAND the ball!)