Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Combination Play - Passing combinations to create goal scoring opportunities.

Technical Warmup

Organization:

Setup playing area as shown.

Instructions:

The exercise starts with Player A playing in an entry pass into Player B who replicates a central midfielder. Player B receives the ball on a half turn and play a set pass into Player C. Once Player C receives the ball, Player D shows to receive the ball from Player C and quickly find player A with a diagonal pass. Player A receives the ball on the run and plays straight into the target player, the target player immediately plays accros to the other target player to restart the passing pattern and play in the opposite direction. Different passing variations are added into the exercise by the coach and the players are also allowed to create their own passing pattern as they play to make the exercise more fluid and dynamic. On coach's call, the two players in the center (greens) switch roles with any two of the infield players to experience the full warm up exercise.

Coaching Points/Questions:

1. Weight and accuracy of pass.

2. Speed of play.

3. Movement off the ball.

4. Timing of runs.

5. Communication i.e. verbal vs non verbal.

Progressions:

One touch play in the following variations.

1. Up/Back/Through (Switch).

2. Up/Back/Through (Same Side).

3. Switch Up/Back/Through (Switch).

4. Switch Up/Back/Through (Same Side).

Opposed Practice

Organization:

Set up as shown.

Instructions:

Players are divided into two teams i.e. reds and blues plus two nuetral players (greens). The greens are always looking to combine and play with the team in possession, they are looking to combine and support play with the team in possession to set up a 4v2 attacking scenario. If the attacking team scores or the ball goes out of play, a new set of attackers and defenders immediately steps in to re-start the exercise. If the defending team win possession, they can transition quickly to attack opposition goal while while combining with the greens (nuetrals) to create a 4v2 overload to finish on goal. Nuetrals (greens) are restricted into the middle zone but are allowed to score. On coach's call, the teams reds switches role with the blues which allows the blues to become the attacking team while the reds become the defending team.

Coaching Points Attacking Team:

1. Timing - Players need to time their passes for their teammates to arrive at the ball and into space. When timing runs, especially in the attacking third, players should arrive 'late and fast' to replicate game situations.

2. Movement to Support - Players need to use intelligent movement on different lines to their teammate to offer sufficient width, depth, and length. When in the attacking third, players need to focus on the 3 key areas of the box, back post, front post and edge of the box to cover goalscoring positions.

3. Rhythm and Tempo of Passes - Players need to focus on their rhythm of passes to 'catapult' each other through the field, moving from slow (to draw out the opponent) to quick (when spaces are found and the team is closer to the goal). Also when switching play, players must do this quickly to unbalance the opposition.

4. Decision making on when to recycle play and patiently build up play.

5. Quick finish on goal.

Coaching Points Defending Team:

1. Defending Principles: Pressure, Cover, Balance, Delay and Compactness.

2. Angle and speed of approach.

3. Force play into one direction i.e. outside / inside.

4. Be able to see the opponent and the ball.

5. Correct distances between defending players.

6. Don't dive in.

7. Communication i.e. I go, I got you covered etc.

8. Defend i.e. blocks and tackles.

9. Transition quickly to attack / counter attack upon winning possession.

Regressions:

1. One green is allowed inside the attacking third to combine and finish on goal.

2. Play becomes live upon the entry pass has been received by a green player.

Progressions:

1. Attacking team must complete at least 4 passes before scoring.

2. Attacking team must complete at least 4 passes and score within 10seconds.

3. Small Sided Game (6v6+2GKs).