Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U9/10 Preseason Team Practice - Session #8 (Full Game Form) (Start Time: 2025-05-15 21:45:00)

SSG - 3 Line Game (20 mins)

Set up:

• Grid is 15x15 boxes on the sides, 5/10 x 15 in the middle (size dependant on age and skill of players and how many players in the boxes).
• Team divided into 3 teams. 2 on the sides and one in the middle.

Organization:

• Coach plays ball to one of the teams on the sides.
• Team in the middle sends defenders into the side grid (1 at first, build to 2 if ability allows).
• Offensive team makes a set number of passes (3-5) and then the goal is to send the ball to the opposite side.
• The pass to the opposite side can be through on the ground (remaining defensive players are permitted to intercept this pass) or over the middle group.
• If they succeed then they score 1 point and stay where they are, defensive team then goes to challenge the ball on opposite side. If the defensive team wins the ball, they take the place of the attacking team and play continues as it started.

Details:

• Shape of the attacking team (fill the box and be at good supporting positions)
• Communication on offense
• Proper body shape to receive the pass
• Don't have to pass to opposite side after required number of passes, ensure the right opportunity

Coaching points (depending on level):

Attacking team: 

• Proper passing technique 
• Scanning for space, and teammates 
• First touch away from pressure into space 
• Body positioning to receive pass - half turn, back foot
• Off the ball movement to create passing angles 
• Build passes (safe short to secure possession) 
• Break passes (riskier through lines, need to be timed right) 
• If 2 defenders closing, look to split
• Communication 
• Use available space

• "Hunt" - win the ball back as quickly as possible
• Speed to pressure the ball, slow when close to player 
• Angle of run to try and force play one way. Teammates in the middle follow the play to support and shift as a team to cut off passing lanes. 
• Player closest to ball pressures, Second player covers. Don't get split!

Language:

• Man on, set
• Bounce it
• Turn
• Out the other way (switch)
• 1, 2
• Receive on the back foot

Playing Out From the Back (Tactical - Opposed) (15 mins)

Objective:

A tactical session designed to improve defenders and midfielders ability to play out from the back in a 3-2-1.

Organisation:

7 Red

1 GK, A Back 3, 2 Midfielders, 1 Target

Keep possession while trying to play the ball through the gates to the target player or to dribble through an open gate.

5 Black

1-3-1

Black try to win possession, aim to score in 10 to 15 seconds.

Targets:

1 - Striker: If available, DO NOT force! Holds up the ball or turns to take defender on 1v1.

2 - CAM (8): 

3 - CDM (6): If the other team is disorganized, receive on the half-turn to play forward or bounce a pass wide or back to center back.

4 - Wing-Back: Both wing backs are wide on the touch line.

5 - CB: Is next to the goalkeeper, CB is on the half-turn so they can receive on the back foot and have all options available (CB is the most common option). Play pass quickly in 1 or 2 touches to opposite back.

6 - GK is beside the CB to provide support and cause the other team's defense to shift if the ball is set back to him. 

* When a player receives the ball the targets remain the same (ie. striker, CAM, CDM, etc.).

Details:

• All players should receive on the back foot to have more options available whenever possible.
• Striker is always the main target (to feet).
• Goakeeper 4 F's - Fast, Feet, Flat, Follow

  Fast - Play the ball in quickly

  Feet - Play to your teammate's feet (depending on the scenario), so they have time to evaluate the right choice and play

  Flat - Pass needs to be on the ground

  Follow - Support the player you just played the ball to and give an angle

• Give yourself space from the retreat line 

• mids starting position behind the other team's center mid and strikers shoulders.

• One wing-back makes a run or dribbles, the other stays and supports the center back.

• If the opposing team is compact towards their own goal, we play short. If they are pressing us, we may play over their heads. Stay composed on the ball and make quick decisions.