Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): U10 Pre-ECNL Breaking Lines

Warm Up - Breaking Lines

Set Up:  

• Use an area 40*12 split into four separate zones that are 10*12.
• Players are split into two teams. 3 players from each team are locked into designated zones as shown in the diagram. 
• Initially both teams have a ball and are unopposed. 
• Players from each team must connect three passes in their zone before playing through to their teammates that are across from them breaking the line of the opposing team
• Once you are able to play through the line to your teammates, they must now complete 3 passes and try to play back through to their teammates that originally started with the ball. 

1. Teams are now allowed to defend. The groups of 3 from either team in the middle zones are the only players that will defend. If the Red team is in possession the blue team is actively sliding in their zone to block all passing lanes for the Red team.

2. The defending team is now allowed to send one defender into the opposition zone to press and try to win the ball back. If the defending team wins possession they keep the ball and and try to play through the opposition. 

Coaching Points: 

• Good passing/receiving technique to allow for quick execution. 
• Tempo - vary the tempo of the passing to exploit gaps or spaces to play through
• Scan and anticipate where space will open up that allows you to play through. 
• Weight of Pass - To play through the line the pass may need to be played with more pace to break the line.

7v7 Small Sided Game (15 mins)

Set Up:

• This game begins as a 6v6, plus goalkeepers.
• It is played on a pitch measuring 40 yards by 30 yards, split into three zones, with two mini-goals at either end.
• Offsides apply in the two end zones. Two mannequins are located centrally approximately five yards apart to form a gate, as in the diagram.
• The coach (C) will start and restart the game, which is directional – both teams attack one way.
• Both teams have three ways to score a point: make 5 consecutive passes, play a pass through the two mannequins, or score in either of their target mini-goals.
• The diagram shows the red team scoring in a mini-goal, after also scoring a point by playing through the mannequins.
• Goalkeepers can play for their team when in possession, but should stay on the goal line. They are allowed to enter the playing area to make saves in either mini-goal.
• If player numbers are not even, or players drop out in the session, the coach can alter the scoring options for each team. For example, if a team has a player advantage, they can only score in the mini-goals.
• The practice runs for four working blocks, with the coach adapting the practice in each block, to set different challenges.
• This can be done by increasing the number of points a team is awarded for a particular method of scoring, or by changing the number of players on a team.
• For example, awarding five points for a successful pass through the central gate should force the defending team to narrow and block the central spaces.
• By taking a player from one team to create a 7v5 (plus goalkeepers), the underloaded team should react by dropping into a low block and looking to counter-attack with long passes.
• The team of five can still score in three ways, while the team of seven can only score in the mini-goals.

Coaching Points 

In Possession

• Inviting pressure - Teams should be comfortable inviting pressure into the defensive third, in order to create space in the middle and final thirds.
• Making the pitch as big as possible - The coach should instruct the in-possession team to make the pitch as big as possible. This will create space for them to combine in between the opposition’s units.
• Change of ball speed - Changing the ball speed from slow to quick will draw the opposition in, to create space in other areas for the attacking team to exploit.
• Keep the ball moving - The coach should stress the importance of keeping the ball moving. This will give the in-possession team constant opportunities to move the opposition’s defensive shape around.
• Quick passing combinations - During the game, players must look to combine quickly, using a limited amount of touches. This will enhance the chances of disrupting the opposition’s shape. Ball speed here must also be quick.