Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Youth - Session 3: Midfield Forward Runs in behind the Defence (Start Time: 2018-02-17 21:15:00)

Timing Runs in Between Defenders in a 4 Zone

Instructions

Create a playing area as above, with 4 zones.

Central zone measures 40 yards x 40 yards. Side zones measure 40 yards x 20 yards.

Attacking zone is the full width of the pitch, 40 yards in length.

Place two mini goals opposite the main goal.

Split players into two teams - 8 x red plus server, with 6 x blue plus GK (16 players in total).

Instructions

Play 6v6 in the central zone , with the white team in a 2-3-1 formation, and the red team in a 4-2 formation. FB's are restricted to their side zone. Blue team are able to move in both the central zone and the side zones.

Red players seek to exploit the overload at the sides, making diagonal runs in between the opposition full back and centre back to support their full back in possession.

The aim is to get into the final zone and score.

No player can enter the final zone until such time asa pass into the final zone is played. Any player may then enter the final zone.

If the blue team gain possession, they have 10 sescs to scorew in either mini goal.

Play resumes each time from the server.

Red team to be coached.

Progressions

1, Unlimited toughes in the centre and the full back has two touches.

2. Limit players to 3 touches in the centre and the full back has 2 touches.

3. Maximum of 2 touches in the final zone.

4. Players limited to 2 touches in the final zone but only 1 touch to finish.

5. All touches in the final zone limited to 1 touch.

Coaching Points

Effect 4 & 5 - movement to receive the ball; front foot; communication; assess passing options and seek to play the ball wide where less congested.

Effect 2 & 3 - Good movement to constantly create passing lines and to support the player in possession. Accuracy and timing of pass. Look for trigger points - movement or communication of player; pass the ball into space behind the defence; type of pass? lofted or driven? Support player after pass has been made; Positioning if opposite FB has possession? Balance.

Effect 7, 9, 10 & 11 - Movement to create runs behind the back four. Timing of runs. Good communication. Support the player in possession. Balance - transition from attack to defence. Recovery runs if possession is lost. Good first touch. Decision making. Take opportunity to shoot when opportunity arises. Follow up for rebounds. Move the ball from one full back to the other to try to create spaces in the back four.

Timing Runs in a Position Specific Zonal Practice

Organisation

11 v 11

Increase length of the pitch (maybe even full length).

Create 3 zones.

Add 2 central defenders (4&5) to the red team and 2 attackers for the blue team.

Instructions

When the red team has the ball in the low zone, the only blue players allowed in the the low zone are the two blue attackers.

Once the ball is played into the middle zone, the other 8 blue players press the ball and defend.

Red 4&5 and Blue attackers are not allowed in the middle zone once the ball has been played in there. If the blue team win the ball in the middle zone, all players are allowed to attack/defend in the blue teams high zone (red teams low zone).

No players are allowed in the red team high zone until a ball has been passed into the zone.

The blue team have 15 secs to score a goal if they gain possession.

Rules for the Red Team

1. Unlimited touches in the middle zone and 2 touches in the fianl zone.

2. In the cenmtre limit the touches and 2 touches in the final zone.

3. Some key players have unlimited touches, while the others have limited touches.

4. With all the previous options limit the finishing to one touch.

5. All players in the final zoze (Red high zone) limited to 1 touch.

Progressions

1. Allow Red 4 or 5 to enter the middle zone by running with the ball into that area.

2. Condition that there must always be 2 Red players in their low zone - if Red 4 or 5 advance through the units, Red 6 must drop back.

3. Make the middle zone narrower in length by moving the lower edge up to the half way line.