Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Receiving in Behind the Midfield Line and Approaching the Third Stage of Attack

Passing Practice No.1 (15 mins)

Organisation: Players in game positions as shown in diagram. At least 2 players on positions #3, #4 and #10 (also possible on the other positions).

Set Up: #6 checks off and asks for the ball; #3 passes to #6 and coaches “turn” (1). #6 receives and turns (2) followed by a pass to #9 (3). #9 bounces with ‘3rd man’ #10 (4) who shoots at goal (5). Players move to the next positions: #3 to #6; #6 to #10; #10 to #9; #9 jogs back to position #3. At the beginning the shot must be aimed towards the hands of the goalkeeper who rolls the ball back to #9, who dribbles it back to the starting position (6). Now repeat the same with #4 passing to #8, etc. Gradually increase the shooting power (it’s still warming-up!)

Coaching Points: Pass precision and pass direction (to proper foot; proper ball speed). Tuning of actions. Anticipation & movement without ball. Verbal and non-verbal communication.

Progression: Introduce a variation (see passing practice 2). Give #9 the option to bounce with #10 (pass4a/4b) or turn away and finish themselves (4b/5b).

Positioning Game (15 mins)

Organisation: We play a 3-zone game in an area 30 x 30 (with a 7 x 30 central zone). We play 4 v 2 in both end zones. There are also 3 defenders inside the central zone (and 1 defender outside the middle zone to the side). The attackers inside one end zone aim to retain possession and pass the ball towards the attackers at the opposite end, evading the 3 defending players in the middle zone. The attacking players in the opposite zone should receive, retain possession and then try to pass back to the opposite zone (switch of play). If the defending team intercept/win the ball, they play 5v4 as the 3 players in the middle move into an end zone with the aim of completing 10 passes. If they lose possession, they go back to their starting positions.

Set Up: 4 v 2 possession football in first grid #2-3-4-6 v #9-10 & in second grid #7-8-9-10 v #3-4 with 3 defensive players in middle zone. Position the grid in ‘game realistic’ areas of the field.

Coaching Points: We work on passing the ball in behind the opposition's midfield line (and receiving). 1. There can be a restriction for the attackers e.g. to complete 4 passes or achieve the switch of play within 20 seconds. 2. If they are unable to do this, blow your whistle and pass the ball to the defenders to play 6v4.

Progression: When the defenders win possession, they play 5v4 inside one zone and you pass a new ball into the opposite area where the teams play 4v3 in favour of the attackers (the outside defender enters this area). The teams compete and maintain possession as long as possible. If the defenders win, they switch positions with the attackers and the game restarts with them in possession.

Training Game (15 mins)

Organisation: The game is played in an area the size of 2/3rds of the field with 2 zones 10m in length we play 11 v 11. There is a 6 v 4 situation in favour of the attacking team in the middle third and a 4 v 4 situation in the front third. The attacking players inside the front third can drop back inside the 10m zone closest to them and receive without marking (the defenders are not allowed in this zone).The attacking team's aim is to move the ball to the players who drop back inside the 10m zone closest to the front third and then try to score. The attacking player who receives the ball inside this 10m zone must use2 touches and pass within the area. They can pass in behind the opposition's defence (or in front of it if there is no potential passing lane for a through ball).

Set Up: Conditioning Game 11 v 11. Formation of both teams will be 1-4-3-3. Build up with some set patterns of play.

Coaching Points: 1. The 2 defensive midfield players are positioned in the 10m zone closest to the middle third and they try to intercept the through passes. 2. However as soon as the ball has moved into the front third or the defenders win the ball at any time, everyone can then move freely across all zones. The defending teams aim is to win the ball and score (counter attack).