Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): 13+ Advanced - Attacking - Midfield Combining with Forwards

Introduction (10 mins)

Organization:

Two fields 24x15 yds each.

1 ball per field.

Three teams of 3 - two teams competing against each other, third team are neutrals.

Neutral players - one must remain in one half, other must remain in other half, third neutral can move freely.

Instructions:

Ball starts in either half.

Team in possession must complete 5 passes in one half then play to the neutral in the other half = 1 point.

Continuous, when ball is played to other half, the team who earned a point is looking to transition quickly to get 5 passes in that half and earn another point by playing back to the neutral in the opposite half.

Keep track of points.

2-3-minute games. Every team plays as neutrals.

Neutral team earns half of total points earned that round e.g. if green is neutral and red earned 5 points, blue earned 7, then green would earn 6 points for that round.

Coaching Points:

Shape when in possession.

Move ball quickly.

Transition quickly to keep earning points.

Progressions:

Neutrals cannot play to neutrals.

Point is now earned by neutral target player completing at least one pass to team in possession after transition e.g. if green is neutral and white completes 5 passes and plays to the neutral in opposite half, white only earns a point if that green neutral is able to complete a pass to a white player in that half.

Regressions:

Once a team gains possession, one defender on the opposite team must only defend side-to-side on the transition line. Other defenders can move freely.

Progression 1 (30 mins)

Progression:

Remove 3 pass minimum in buildup.

Conditioned game (20 mins)

Organization:

9v9 (In example both teams in 1-4-2-3-1 formation with no outside backs)

Instructions:

Try to create goal-scoring opportunities and score.

1 point for shot, 2 points for SOG, 3 points for goal.

Coaching Points:

Shape in buildup half.

Forward/penetrating pass as cue to get forward to support.

2nd attacker tatics - Immediate support, quick combinations.

3rd attacker tactics - Exploit space.