Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Positional play in possession (Start Time: 2023-10-02 11:55:00)

Warm Up (15 mins)

Set up 7-cones into 2-Diamonds inside a 40yd x 50yd area. Position a player on each cone and highlight the "Soccer Number" of that position.

i) Rotation 1: Ball starts with Player #5. Pass the ball (2-touch) through the following sequence;

5 - 4 - 6 - 5 - 3 - 10 - 6 - 8 - 2 - 4.

ii) Rotation 2: Ball starts with Player #4. Pass the ball (2-touch) through the following sequence;

4 - 5 - 6 - 4 - 2 - 8 - 6 - 10 - 3 - 5.

iii) Encourage check out/check in, head check, calling for the ball, etc. from warm up

iv) Encourage 1-touch when possible and time the sequence. IE, improve speed of play

Rotate players every 2-min.

Adv.

- Add 3-defenders (7v3) to press and win the ball. Attackers must stay within 3-yds of their cone

- Add 2-more defenders (7v5) to press and win the ball. Attackers free movement.

- Make possession directional. ADD targets at either end to receive the ball and neutral wide players offering width. 7-players attack EZ1 while 5-Players attack EZ2

Coaching Points

1) Maintain Shape: Formation Solid - Ball Movement Fluid.

2) Awareness: SEE the next pass, PREPARE for the next pass, EXECUTE the next pass.

3) Technique: Individual ability to be a positive LINK in the CHAIN of possession. Also improvise if necessary when under defensive pressure.

Activity Two (35 mins)

Using 60yds x 55-yds just (over 1/2 of a field), set up the field with a big goal and 2-counter goals.

Set up the players with 10-attacking players as shown above in a 4-3-3 attacking the big goal; v 8-defenders (Inc. GK) in a 1-4-3 attacking the counter goals. Have a supply of balls by the big goal and with the coach between the counter goals

Phase of play to goal & counter goals. Coach decides where the ball starts from

Coaching Points

1) Positional Play: In possession, does the attacking team looking to make the pitch as big as possible? Finding as much space in their position as possible? Create passing angles to migrate the ball?

2) Penetration/Speed of Play: In possession, does the attacking team moving the ball quickly? Look to play forward when possible? Recognize when to retain possession and recycle the ball? Is there movement OFF the ball to create space/overloads. Does the attacking team create goal scoring opportunities?

3) Out of Possession: Does the attacking team transition to defending quickly when a turnover occurs? Do they work hard to win the ball back? Once back in possession, what decisions do they make; retain/recycle OR counter attack?