Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): BP - Effective Possession - Controlling the Middle 3rd (C)

Profile Summary

Name:	Graham Denman
City:	Donvale
Country:	Australia
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

Interface Language

Share this Session

Link Session

Description

Main Moment: Ball Possession (BP)

Key Principle: Controlled Possession in the Middle 3rd

Session Objective:

In this session I aim to improve the ability of my team to combine in the midfield. Especially #3 & #4 with the #10 and get our #6 & #8 to receive facing forward. Then we can look to play between the lines to the #7, #9 & #11 to create scoring chances.

Team Task: To play forward through our midfield in a structured manner.

By Focusing on: Player Tasks (General / Position-specific)

- #6 & #8 to move between the lines and away from opponents in order to receive the ball

- #6, #8 & #10 to rotate positions in order to lose their markers.

- #6, #8 & #10 must get side on (open body) when receiving the ball in order to play forward if the opportunity presents itself.

- #9 & #10 are not to be in the same line.

- #7 & #11 knowing when to make their runs behind the defenders.

Key Players Actions required to achieve tasks and objective:

Positioning/Movement without the ball

- Look to find space between the opponents and lines and create clear passing lanes.

- Watch the movement of the ball as the player takes their 1st touch and adjust movement into space accordingly.

- Look to draw opponents away from the ball carrier

Core Skills

- 1st Touch

- Striking the Ball

- Running with the Ball

Communication

- Coach your teammates

- Indicate when to take space / call for pass

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Warm Up

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

Warm Up (10 mins)

Organisation:

Size of Area: 30 x 30m

Instructions:

- Place cones to identify two square playing areas.

- Two groups of 7 operating at the same time (3 v 3 + 1). Red v Blue plus Yellow independent bouncer.

Explanation

- Coach plays ball into Red.

- Red has to maintain and control possession by passing between two other teammates and the neutral bouncer.

- Four consecutive passes = goal.

- If no pass option is available the player needs to shield the ball and wait for passing support before releasing the ball.

- Supporting players need to constantly adjust positions to keep the passing lanes open.

- Blue to press Red and try and win possession.

- Play for 3 mins and take a 1 min break. Three repetitions, high intensity. (Coach to feed in spare balls to maintain intensity).

Key Objective: MAINTAIN POSSESSION

Progression

- Increase to Five Passes = Goal

- Remove neutral player

Points to Observe

Ensure players are getting their body position correct when receiving the ball to play and move quickly

Perception (Seeing/Hearing)

- Listen for teammates call.

- Watch teammates 1st Touch and adjust position accordingly.

Decision (Recognition / Anticipation / Options / Choice)

- Adjust body position

- Shape body to be open for the pass and the direction of next pass.

Execution (Timing / Speed / Quality / Clarity)

- Ball speed

- Accuracy of passes

- Increased intensity

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Positioning Game

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

Positioning Game (20 mins)

Explanation:

Size of area: Grid Size (3 x 25mx10m)

Start / Re-Start Method:

3 Teams of 4 v 4 v 4 in three bib colours & 10 Balls

- Coach feeds into wide player who then has to combine with teammates to retain possession.

- Complete a minimum of five passes and look to play a pass through the middle channel to the far grid.

- Only 2 pressing defenders are allowed to cross from the central zone.

- Rotate middle channel when middle team wins the ball or play breaks down.

- If team scores a point play re-starts from GK.

- If team loses possession play restarts for the opposing team from their GK

Progression

- Add 3rd pressing player

- Add two touch rule

Team Task:

Can we effectively control possession and then combine in the midfield and look to play a ball through the channels to the other side?

Player Tasks / Actions:

- Can we hold onto possession while opening up the area as much as possible

- Can we keep the ball safe when we have it?

- Can we offer supporting triangles to play?

- Can our #6 & #8 receive the ball facing forward?

- Can our #10 receive the ball an play through the lines?

- Are our #3 & #4 hitting our #10 and then playing our #6 or #8

Cues (To assist Perception, Decision, Execution)

- When the ball is played to a #3 or #4 are the #6, #8 or #10 in a position to play forward should the ball come to them

- When the #6, #8 or #10 receive the ball do the #3 & #4 still offer support should there be no forward pass available?

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Game Training

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

Game Training (25 mins)

Explanation

Size of area: Half-pitch (50mx100m) with 2 small goals on coaches side

Start / Re-Start Method

The game starts / restarts with the coach each time.

8 red players & 7 blue players including goal keeper.

- Combine through a minimum of five passes and then look to play the ball through the channels to score a goal.

- If Blue win the ball they have 30 seconds to score in either two small goals with no restriction on passes.

- Look for high intensity and fast decision making.

- If Red lose the ball to Blue in the initial Build-Up = GOAL to Blue

Team Task: Can we effectively control possession in the midfield to create and take our scoring chances?

Player Tasks / Actions:

- Can the #9 & #10 move without the ball to create space.

- Can the #2 & #5 look to create overlapping runs behind the #7 & #11

- Can our #6 & #8 receive the ball facing forward and look to play our #7 & #11.

Cues (To assist Perception, Decision, Execution)

- When the ball is played out wide through the lines to our #7 & #11 does our opposite wide player & #9 & #10 give supporting runs to score goals.

- When the ball is played out wide through our lines to the #7 & #11 does the #2 & #5 offer support should there be no forward play available.