Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Long/short passing, transitioning (u12's) (Start Time: 2025-06-21 22:00:00)

Long/short passing, (15 mins)

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions): x6 players positioned outside a marked rectangle area, using coned a smaller box is arranged inside rectangle. Players stand x2 on either side of longer perimeter facing each other and one player on other two (shorter) perimeters facing each other. The longer sides with two players outside of line will pass once a shorter pass between them then when received second player will play a longer pass to player opposite them ensuring the ball passes through the smaller inside box. The shorter outside lines players facing each other will pass the ball using a higher pass but travelling through the smaller inside box, the opposite player will control the ball and pass a lofted pass back. 

Challenges, Conditions or Targets: The target of drill is to transition the ball via a lofted or ground pass from one side of rectangle to the other with the ball passing through a marked area. The 'partners' have to demonstrate executing a short pass between them which is controlled before player turns and executes a longer pass to 'partners' on other side of rectangle who do the same and return the ball. The single players demonstrate controlling a longer (lofted) pass before passing the ball back across to other singular player who does the same. All players complete x5 sequences of passing before rotationg to position clockwise and repeating. Can be regressed/progressed by shortening/extending the distance between players. Can be further progressed/regressed by limiting/extending number of touches allowed.

Mechanics:

Facing direction of incoming pass,

eyes on the ball,

open stance to receive pass,

receive ball with side of foot,

cushion pass to control,

foot 5cms from floor when receiving,

angle body towards passing target,

laces part of foot for stronger/longer pass,

side part of foot for shorter pass,

knee over ball for lower pass/lean back slightly for lofted pass,

strike bottom of ball for lofted pass, middle of ball for lower pass,

follow through pass with striking foot for more accurate/straight pass.



Small sided game (15 mins)

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions):

This scenario (small sided game) progresses the skill (desired topic) again into a more realistic match typical drill. There are two teams of three players (red and blue) and the pitch is divided onto the sections with a goal at either 'end zone'. To start member of either team has to make a dribble into the middle section, once there it becomes a 2 on 1 overload with three sucessful passes required in middle zone before one of sucessful starting team can carry the ball into opposistion 'end zone', there they again create a 2 on 1 with the team player already in that zone and have to complete another three passes before a shot at goal can be taken. If the opposing team intercept or win the ball the ball goes to their own 'end zone' where the play and objective is repeated again.

Challenges, Conditions or Targets: Target being to sucessfully transition both a player to the next zone to create the 2 on 1 through required number of passes (condition) and to score in opposistion goal, and/or to prevent opposition scoring.