Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Scanning, Movement, Playing through midfield and building up play.

Animation 1 (5 mins)

SETUP.

• 4 SUPPORTING PLAYERS (2 CB'S, GK AND A FB)
• TEAMS OF 6 PLAYERS



HOW THE PRACTICE IS PLAYED.

• THE 4 SUPPORTING PLAYERS ARE THERE TO RECEIVE THE BALL AND PASS THE BALL TO THE TEAM IN POSSESSION.
• THE TWO TEAMS IN THE MIDDLE ARE PLAYING AGAINST EACH OTHER.
• BOTH TEAMS NEED TO COMPLETE 6 PASSES ONCE THEY HAVE POSSESSION OF THE BALL, THEY CAN USE THE SUPPORTING PLAYERS. ONCE THEY COMPLETE 6 PASSES THEY EARN A POINT. 
• THE TEAM OUT OF POSSESSION MUST WIN THE BALL
• SUPPORTING PLAYERS ARE ALLOWED TO COME IN THE ZONE AND CREATE 1-2 PASSES, BUT IF THAT HAPPENS, THE SUPPORTING PLAYERS MUST ROTATE POSITIONS TO OCCUPY ALL 4 CORNERS.
• IF THE TEAM IN POSSESSION COMPLETE 6 PASSES, THEY WILL RECEIVE THE BALL AGAIN.
• THE BLUE TEAM IS IN A 1-4-1 FORMATION WHICH FOCUSES ON 4-1-4-1 WHEREAS THE YELLOW TEAM IS RESEMBLING A 4-3-3 FORMATION WITH 3 -3 MIDFIELD PLAYERS, 2 WIDE PLAYERS AND A STRIKER. (BOTH TEAMS MUST MOVE IN SHAPE).

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING FROM THIS PRACTICE?

This practice will help the players to scan more, think about decisions (passing to feet, passing to space, is my movement correct), understand when to move and how to move, support play and the most important objective, keeping possession. Each team is setup to resemble a formation. The yellow team has 3 midfielders, 2 wide players and a striker (4-3-3) and the blue team has a striker, 4 midfield players around him and a 6 sitting behind the midfield (4-1-4-1). This constraint is to make sure that the players know what positions their team mates are going to possess and to also help them move in a formation shape. The supporting players are there to ensure that possession is maintained and also gives an opportunity to the team in and out of possession to create space, stay in formation and find ways to intercept. The movement of the ball is as vital as being on the ball. 

• SCANNING.
• MOVEMENT / ROTATION.
• POSSESSION.
• PRESSING.
• CUTTING PASSING LANES.

When we are on the ball we need to know where are team mates are positioned, we need to check what space we are going to and we need to make sure we scanned for free team mates. Scanning before receiving the ball is an important tool, it helps you to move the ball quicker and read the game better. 
When out of possession, we need to narrow our shape and get ready to block any passing lanes. We are still scanning! We need to know where the opposition might go or might target and we need to make sure that all attacking possibilities are tight and secure. 
The practice is a free flow passing, moving and scanning practice, we need to be fast and mindful of our decisions and we need to make sure we can build play under pressure. Keeping calm and composed in such tight situations is important, knowing where your team mates are positioned or scanning before receiving the ball can help you be in that state of mind. 
CHECK MIRRORS AND BLIND SPOTS BEFORE WE SET OFF!  Same principle in football before you receive the ball.