Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U19 & University Combined Session

Unit Work WB/AM/ST (30 mins)

Objective: To work position specific with the WB's, ST & 10 on attacking the space behind. (Crossing, Finishing & Movement)

Phase 1 - Passing patterns crossing and finishing. Each set of players will do 2 repetitions of both sets of movements showed with each move starting with the 10 and working on the timing of each players movement and body triggers to react to being able to break lines. The shaded area's represent the areas the 9/11/10 are expected to attack the ball. 

Key Coaching points:

• Speed of the combination centrally 
• Technique of the longer pass & the ball into the box with the 3/7 looking to put the ball into the three shaded spaces. 
• Ensure players are coming arriving onto the ball, not waiting for it to arrive into the box (Timing of movement) 
• Working with the 3/7 on whipping the ball in the gap the backline and GK will likely leave, ideally having the ball bounce just before the 6 yard box to enable an easier finish for the strikers/AM. 

Phase 2 - 3v3 box (15x15), must complete 2 passes and on the 3rd, the ball can be played wide to either WB. When the ball is played wide, if the WB receives the ball before the 18 yard box, they have the choice to drive into the zone to the goaline and deliver the cross (hung up or cut back), or deliver into the box from behind the 18. If they receive in the zone, they can deliver however they choose based on the attackers movement. Only 2 of the 3 defending players can track back to defend the cross. 
Coaching Points: 

• Quick sharp movements off the ball inside the 3v3 to create angles to play the ball wide. 
• Decision of the type pass under pressure into the WB (Not forcing the incorrect type of wide pass). 
• 9/10/11 attacking the 3 spaces and creating separation between defending players. 
• Decision on the type of technique and cross based on the situation and making the decision based on the timing of runners into the box (3/7) 

11v11 Phase of Play (40 mins)

Organization: 65W 85L, 1-3-5-2 vs 1-3-5-2. 

Conditions of play: Normal Soccer rules.

Restarts: From a throw in, goal kick, a coach playing the ball into any of the WB/CB/CM behind or between 1 red line of pressure. 

3x12 minutes - 1 coaching stoppage per team per 10 minutes (max 60 seconds)

Red team objective: DO & AT

 To sit in a 5-3-2 and force the ball wide, with the WB stepping out when the body trigger of the ball carrier facing that way and work on how they take advantage of winning the ball with the line of confrontation 25 yards from goal to get the ball wide and deliver into the box. 9/11 stay narrow out of possession, helping to screen the ball off centrally with the near side holding midfielder stepping out to create defensive overload. 

White Team Objective: AO & DT

To keep their strikers distant in the build up to pull the back 3 apart as much as possible (when one receives or drops down, the other acts as a central stretcher. Working on the 'master, follower' principle in build up (i.e. if the ball carrier (outside cb) is facing the WB and they the only wide option, they are the master, with the striker, CB and closest midfielder becoming the followers reacting off the WB's movement (if the WB drops low, the ST rotates out with the CM going higher to receive above a line of play). Looking to play through the half spaces or out to in. If possession is lost, a quick reaction is necessary to get compact and force red to be negative or at worst forcing the ball wide, through pressure cover on the ball.