Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Protect The Goal U14 (2)

Screen 1

Arrival - SSG Topic Based

Set up - 

Yellow's to protect central grid area in a 2 v 2 against red opponent out of possession, to then drive into the opposite red grid in possession.  

Red's to try and drive the ball into central yellow grid in 2 v 2. 

Player's are not restricted to any area. 

Progressions - 

Principles of the game stay the same but yellow players are free to attack any of the opponents goals.

Players are not now only against their opposite 2, all reds v all yellows all over the pitch with 4 footballs all live. 

Technical - 

Body language, different techniques to win the ball back E.G - Lunging in, delay / jockeying, curving run to send player into a 1 v 1 or into partner for 2 v 2.

Tactical - Decision making in and out of possession, who presses / why / when / how. Cover and balance from second defensive player.

Physical - High intensity within tight area, strength to tackle and win the ball back. Balance within challenges, Acceleration and pace within physical pressure, Speed, Agility and quickness.

Psychological - Competitive psychological pressure and general desire to win. Game understanding / decision making both in and out of possession, game management, staying switched on psychologically within the transition. Confidence

Social - Communication both with and without the ball when in possession, different types of communication such as verbally, within movement, detail in passes, hand gestures and general body language. Social enjoyment between team mates within a games based practice. Freedom for players to problem solve and to be creative within the practice

Screen 3

Phase of Play - 

Yellow's - 1-4-4-2 

Red's - 1-3-4-3

Red's to attack 11 aside goal.

Yellow's to defend deep and play into the GK by the 7 aside goal as soon as regaining possession to encourage counter attacks. 

Aims and Objectives 

(Yellows)

 Low block, Understand the importance, value and general positional guidance within the 3 defensive zones both in and out of possession. We will only start to squeeze up the pitch if we are able to counter attack.

Communication and shuffling as a unit (Table Football Example)

Looking across the line to see who the last man is, communication within the unit to establish movement normally led by CB.

Understanding the 3 zones within the pitch, if the ball is in a wide zone full back from opposite zone tucks in but never goes past the penalty spot. Get compact to defend on the ball with nearest man press, around the ball with secondary player and away from the ball with the opposite full back.

If the ball is in middle zone both full backs tuck in slightly but obtain a position to put off the ball being switched wide (E.G a good distance between the wide player so that if the ball traveled we could recover to put pressure on the ball).

Understanding the importance of moving, communicating and working overall as a unit. Can't allow one to press and 2 to sit etc.

Not getting too drawn to the ball, increased emphasis on forcing opposition passes sideways or back wards or forcing the long range shot. 

Distances between defense and midfield unit, tighter to not allow opposition forwards to play in between the units. 

Out of Possession Principles - 

(Yellow)

Depth.

Delay.

Concentration.

Pressure & Cover.

Control & Restraint.  

In Possession Principles - 

(Red)

Dispersal.

Movement.

Support.

Penetration.

Creativity.