Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Counter Attack/Defend - Small Sided

1v1 (Animated)

Set-Up:

 2 teams with 4 or 5 players each

• 8 poles
• 4 cones
• 2 balls
• (Don't need poles. Different sized cones or different colored cones work)

Rules:

 - Player dribbles from one side of field to the other. They then pass the ball through the 2 poles (gate) then run around the furthest pole and chase the player who received the ball. Try and win the ball from the player dribbling away before they release the ball.

- The player who receives the ball must dribble quickly and this processes repeats when dribbling to the other side. Should be non-stop 1v1's.

- If the defender wins the ball, they are now trying to pass it to the next line. 

- Player that lost the ball will go back to the line they were trying to pass to. Making sure every spot has a player, ready to play. 

COACHING POINTS:

• little touches of the ball when dribbling
• Firm pass
• forward first touch when receiving
• Change directions quickly (attacking and defending)
• When defending, which side do we want to defend and why?
  • We want to take the dribbler away from where he/she wants to go. Defender should try to force the dribbler away from the next line.. trying to win the ball.

CHANGE IT / PROGRESSIONS:

Change the distance of the lines

Time limit when dribbling or number of touches to release the ball.

3v3 (Animated)

Small Sided Activity "3v3, Numbers Behind the Ball"

Set-Up:

-6v6 on a 30 x 18 yard field

-Place small goals at the end of the field with a agility pole 3 yards behind each goal.

-When the team scores a goal, the player that scored and the player that assisted have to run around the flag before coming back onto the field

-A player from the team that conceded gets a ball and quickly creates a 3v2 counter attack.

Coaching Points:

-If immediate pressure can be applied (bad first touch, bad pass) then stop the counter attack early.

-If not, recover back quickly to get players behind the ball, defending the central areas and force wide

-Player recover back does so by getting to the balancing side of the defensive line.