Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Kearny U8 Academy week 3

Skill Mastery (10 mins)

Organization:

Groups of 4 set up as shown

1 mini goal

field size 12x15

Instructions:

1 attacker and 1 defender start facing across from each other on either side of the line made by the cones

Attacker starts with the ball, and will try to create space the space to play the ball past the defender to one of the waiting target players or goal

Defender attempts to deny the pass forward; if the ball is intercepted by the defender, the game ends and players switch roles/rotate

Defender is allowed to drop and deny the pass back to the attacking player once the ball is played into a target

Each player gets a chance to attack before they rotate as a group to become the target players; target players become attacker/defender and game repeats

Learning Outcomes L-Turn / V- turn

Learning Outcomes V-Move

Recognition of space closed out by defender

Toe part of the sole to drag ball back/across (dependent on pressure)

Outside of the foot pushing the ball away

Coaching Points:

ability to use U-turn/L-turn/V-turn to escape pressure and create the passing lane

movement to support the ball once it is played forward

Progressions:

PR- Shorten the gate the attacker can enter

Re - Make the gate larger

Progression (10 mins)

Organization:

Groups of 4 set up as shown

1 mini goal

field size 12x15

Instructions:

1 attacker and 1 defender start facing across from each other on either side of the line made by the cones

Attacker starts with the ball, and will try to create space the space to play the ball past the defender to one of the waiting target players

Organization:

Groups of 4 set up as shown

1 mini goal

field size 12x15

Instructions:

1 attacker and 1 defender start facing across from each other on either side of the line made by the cones

Attacker starts with the ball, and will try to create space the space to play the ball past the defender to one of the waiting target players

Attacker will then follow his pass to receive the ball back for a chance to score

Defender attempts to deny the pass forward; if the ball is intercepted by the defender, the game ends and players switch roles/rotate

Defender is allowed to drop and deny the pass back to the attacking player once the ball is played into a target

Each player gets a chance to attack before they rotate as a group to become the target players; target players become attacker/defender and game repeats

Learning Outcomes V-Move

Recognition of space closed out by defender

1st touch looking to exploit space

Direction and distance of final touch

Recognition that space is in behind defender

Use defenders momentum against them

End product

Coaching Points:

ability to use U-turn/L-turn/V-turn to escape pressure and create the passing lane

movement to support the ball once it is played forward

Progressions:

Defender attempts to deny the pass forward; if the ball is intercepted by the defender, the game ends and players switch roles/rotate

Defender is allowed to drop and deny the pass back to the attacking player once the ball is played into a target

Each player gets a chance to attack before they rotate as a group to become the target players; target players become attacker/defender and game repeats

Learning Outcomes V-Move

Recognition of space closed out by defender

1st touch looking to exploit space

Direction and distance of final touch

Recognition that space is in behind defender

Use defenders momentum against them

Over exaggerate body motion to help fake defender

Toe part of the sole to drag ball back/across (dependent on pressure)

Outside of the foot pushing the ball away

End product

Game (15 mins)

Organization:

- 4v4 game with goalkeepers. 3 Teams, winners stay on. 1 goal, or 2 minute games.

Learning Outcomes

Player in possession driving inwards and at defenders

Dribbling with nearest foot to support player

Recognition of overlapping player to help unbalance defense

Observation of defenders position to help decide best course of action

Timing of pass to overlapping player

Are players using the correct foot/surface to pass the ball

Use of decoy to take the ball yourself

Recognition of being able to open up more space for both players

Timing of run of supporting player

Communication (hold, set etc.)

Player in possession recognizing that space is ahead and they are able to drive in field to create 2 vs 1

Coaching Points:

- Recap role of first attacker (penetration)

- Recap role of second attacker (support)

- Recap role of third attacker (unbalance)

- Can we create a diamond? (Width, Depth, Length)

- Are players aware of which of the above roles they have?

- Movement as ball travels

- Recognizing visual cues for the combinations covered

- Speed of thought and movement in transition