Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Passing & Receiving - Building from the Back

Target Possession (unopposed) (10 mins)

Overview:  

• Set up a 20 x 20 playing area. Adjust the size depending on your number of players. 
• As per the diagram/video have two equal sized teams e.g. 2 teams of 4. One team plays horizontally, the other team plays vertically. 
• Have 2 players from each team standing outside the playing area. These players act as Target Players. 
• Have the remaining players from each team standing inside the playing area. 
• Both teams are to have a ball each. 
• Play 3 min rounds. Rotate the Target Players. 

•  Both teams must transfer their ball from one side of the area to the other (from one Target Player to the opposite Target Player). 
• Target Players are allow to move along their line, creating good passing angles for their teammates inside the area.   
• The players in the middle are to make well-timed runs, giving their Target Player a diagonal passing option (see video). 
• Inside players are to maintain an open body position when receiving the ball. 
• All passes are to be aimed at teammates back foot e.g., if a teammate is standing with an open body shape pointing at 2 O' Clock, the pass should be aimed at his/her right-foot as their back foot.  
• Inside players should aim to avoid standing on the same axis line. In the video, notice how the inside players from the same team stay in a zigzag position rather than standing in a straight line. If players rotate positions, they must maintain the zigzag formation. In a real game situation this zigzag formation/positioning provides better passing angles, making it harder to defend against. 
• Encourage all players to maintain high intensity and tempo. 
• Encourage inside players to sometimes switch positions, making it more game realistic. 
• Encourage passes to be made with precision (accuracy), correct power (weight) and good timing (not rushed or hesitant).   

Retreat OR Press SSG (30 mins)

Overview:

• Set-up a playing area approx. 40 x 25 with two goal either end. 
• Place a row of cones/discs down the centre of the pitch (see diagram). 
• Organise 2 teams of equal players + goalkeepers per team. If you have an odd number, make one player the 'Joker'. The Joker gets to play for the team in possession of the ball i.e., the Joker is always on the attacking team. 

Game Rules/Constraints:

• The game always starts with one of the goalkeepers (see video). This is why the spare balls are to be placed next to each goal. 
• The defending team (blue team in diagram) must retreat to their own half. Failure to do so results in 1 point being awarded to the attacking team. They have 7 secs to retreat to their own half. Make it shorter or longer depending on the age/fitness of your players. 
• Once the goalkeeper in possession of the ball (yellow GK in diagram) plays their first pass, the defending team can decide to either stay in their own half (Delay) or go into their opponents half to win the ball back (Press). This rule/constraint enables the team in possession to build from the back and progress into their opponents half. 
• Points: 1 Point for a normal goal. 1 Point awarded to the attacking team if the defending team fails to retreat to their own half within the specified timeframe.  

Work to Rest Ratio:

• 10 mins work / 2 mins rest/drink break. Reiterate coaching points during the drink break.  

Coaching Details:  

• Same coaching points as before. 
• Make sure to coach on-the-run, not stopping the flow of the game. Reiterate key coaching points during each drink break.  

Progressions:

• Give the attacking team a certain number of passes to complete before they can progress into their opponents half. The number of passes will depend of the skill level / ability of your players. For more skilled players increase the number of passes. 

• If attacking teams are finding it difficult to progress into their opponents half i.e., build from the back, have defending team locked into their own half. They can only win the ball back once the attacking team has entered into their half.