Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Finishing- with defending pressure ( GAME SETTING TRAINING 1V1, 1v2, 2v4, 3v5, etc)

S3a- (20 mins)

8 Same color cones or markers to make 3 pitches/fields 15 x 20 yards (A,B,C)

5-8 Cones(make sure colors are different from your grid cones)  

place and distribute cones to make an obstacle in which player must move through and/or dribble ball. 

4 -8 Balls, (one on each outside cone)

up to 4 players on the inside cones 

Activity:

Players 1 with the ball dribbles through cone obstacle, then dribbles across the field to around and through gate (2 cones 3-4 feet apart), and then player dribbles and try to finish before player 2 can defend and prevent player 1 from scoring.

Player 2 starts on opposite side, and can take off as soon as player 1 goes, however they must run side ways until they go through the first gate.  Player 2 will then sprint, and cut around first cut, and run to next cone and then turn back and close player 1 from the side to prevent player 1 from scoring.

Grid A & C are mirror drills to each other.

Grid B-  2 teams, Player 1 and 2 start in opposite side, Player 1 dribbles straight through gates (1 & 2) and then turns and try to score on their own goal.

Player 2 will start as soon as player 1 starts, however they must first to through the set obstacle (cones) running backwards, and then get transition to sprinting down the field and through the opposite gate and meet head on for a 1v1 show down. 

If defending player takes away ball and scores in their goal, team gets 2 pts. All other points are worth 1pt.

Progression #2 (day 1 or 2)

Players will repeat same above drill, however coaches can make it a 1 v 2 and a 2 v 2 for players to understand the different dynamics and tactical pressure to game 

Progression #3 (day 1 or 2)

Add additional small cones (2-3 max), coach can add different obstacles, such as hurdles, or ladder, and or have players run in different directions, or forms so that players can be work on quick lateral movement needed in defending. 

Coaching Points:

Dribbling: Close touches with outside of foot,

Quick and sharp turns,

penetration into open space, 

knowing where defender is and feeling confident and shooting in to goal.

Defender - working on good lateral movement, quick sprints and sharp turns, and closing space to prevent shot or take away ball. * Does player use angles, proper foot, shoulder, feel confident to close player, firm footing, and not afraid to get beaten or make a defensive mistake, can they recover quickly.

Receive the layoff with the outside of the foot

Pulling side to side make sure that hips are square and parallel to the way that they are facing

** Note: make sure players stay engaged and that the you are able to modify drills based not only the group, but on each player level, so that you can have some players limited and work more on their individual strengths and weakness. 

Game- with Neutral wingers (20 mins)

Set Up:

3v3 plus 2 Wing Neutrals

5v5 plus 2 Wing Neutrals

*7 v 7 Plus 2 wing Neutrals (if you are playing 9v9)

Activity:

3v3 plus 2 Wing Neutrals

5v5 plus 2 Wing Neutrals

*7 v 7 Plus 2 wing Neutrals (if you are playing 9v9)

Teams in 2 different colors

3 - touch limit unless player dispossesses the  player with the ball and can go to goal
Players look to move the ball going forward and playing backwards as little as possible while trying to avoid getting caught is tight spaces

Players on the ball look to play into the winger to avoid getting "trapped".  Winger player can dribble up the line but must look to cross back to team with possession.  

Team (player) with ball possession can use either neutral winger as a wall pass, or open player, however with the objective to make a attacking run, and number advantage when attaching, as well as returning to make defensive contributions.  

Coaching Points:

Weight of passes

Recognizing space

Movement of ball (tempo)

Are our players with possession "ahead" in their thinking to advance the ball in attack

Are we creating opportunities to help the player with the ball when we are off the ball