Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Block 2 Week 5 - Develop Play to Exploit Crossing Opportunities

Waves Practice (20 mins)

Organisation

Pitch and teams laid out as shown.

Numbers relate to the Red Team.

The Red midfield will play in both directions.

The Grey team will defend and start "locked in" to the 3 areas.

Team Objectives

Red - create opportunities to score from crosses (but don't play unrealistically).

Grey - defend effectively in all three zones and play into GK or Neutrals if you win possession.

How to Play

Game starts from the GK playing into the midfield.

As soon as a Red MF player touches the ball, the Grey team are "live".

The 2 Yellow players are intially restricted to 2 touches and must "play what you see".

If the Grey team win the ball, play directly to GK or Yellow players (THIS ENDS THE PLAY).

If Reds are attacking "up" the pitch, they can also retain possession by bouncing of the other 9 and 10.

Start the next attack from the opposite end.

Possible Coaching Points

Midfield rotation to retain possession of the ball.

Neutral players support in relation to the ball.

If the Neutral players shape to cross the ball, striker movement & MF support runs.

Recycle if the cross isn't on.

If the Neutral player gets into the attacking third - decision to cross or cut back?

Positional adjustments in relation to cross (high up or middle third).

Progression

Allow a defender into channel.

Remove touch restriction.