Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Switching Play incorporating GK Distribution

GK Distribution & Switching Play (20 mins)

Key Factors

• GK are working on distribution from hands to start and then feet with a focus on switching play. The coach and resting GK initially pass along the floor from position 1 to the working GK who collects the ball and rolls it back to the other server. Change GK every 6 serves.
• Progress to position 2 and GK using Javelin throw
• Progress to position 3 and GK using Overarm throw
• Progress  to position 1 and GK using feet for short pass
• Progress to position 2 and GK using feet for medium pass
• Progress to position 3 and GK using feet for longer (lofted?) pass
• To look for - does the GK look to play quickly upon receipt? Does his body angle / first touch allow this? Does GK utilise whole area (especially on longer throws / kicks)

Outfield session - possession based game with players encouraged to move the ball effectively from one side of the grid to another. The outside players only enter the grid when they have been passed to and they are replaced by the passer.

To look for - receiving players body angle, good tempo of passing, do players pass and move? do players shut off passing lanes when out of possession? do players check shoulders and play with heads up? Do outside players utilise space and communicate well?

Organisation

• GK session - one goal, two GK, one coach and a supply of balls
• Outfield session - players play 8v8 in a 35 x 35 grid with a supply of balls available

Switching Play SSG (20 mins)

Key Factors

• Three quarter pitch SSG in which players are asked to utilise what they have been learning in this session. Do they maintain width in possession and narrow out of possession? Body angle allows forward passing? Look for forward / angled passes? Maintain possession if forward passes not possible? Play with heads up? Look to create overloads - 2v1s? Can the GK be involved in switching play?

Organisation

• Teams play in three quarter pitch with GK now included. Teams have a half attacking the large goal and a half attacking the poled goal. Both teams are encouraged to look to switch play to unbalance the opposition defence - goals count as double if they come directly from a switch of play or an overload.
• Teams host their own brief team talk at half time to discuss tactics