Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Chance Creation & Finishing

Technical Warmup 1.

Organization:

Setup as shown.

Instructions:

(1). At the beginning of the exercise, the players are divided into four small groups as shown i.e. passing line 1 and passing line 2.

(2). The first player (A1) from passing line 1 pass to the opposite player (A2) in passing line 1 and then sprint around the pole to receive a pass from (B2) from passing line 2. Player (A1) then takes a good first touch out of feet and drive at speed to join the passing lane 2. Player (B1) then quickly move to passing line 1 to replace player (A1).

(3). The receiving player (A2) on the opposite line 1 looks to receive and play into the next player waiting in line in opposite passing line 1 before running around the pole to receive the next pass from passing line 2, from (B2), the process is then repeated. Player (B2) moves to join passing line 1 to replace player (A1).

(4). On coach's call, the starting positions is reversed to experience the exercise in the opposite direction..

Coaching Points:

(1). Accuracy and weight of pass.

(2). Quality of first touch.

(3). Movement to receive.

(4). Body shape to receive i.e. half turn, on toes etc.

(5). Rhythm and tempo of passes.

(6). Decision making.

Small Sided Game

Organization:

Setup as shown.

Instructions:

(1). This is a themed 8v8 (plus goalkeepers) game.
(2). The pitch is split into three zones: two end zones that feature a 3v4 plus the defending team’s goalkeeper, and a smaller central zone featuring one midfielder from each team.
(3). The coach is positioned at the side of the practice and will always serve the balls in.
(4). The practice begins with the coach passing the ball into one of the midfield players in the central zone. As soon as this player takes their first touch, the practice is live and the midfielder will look to drive into the attacking zone to create a 4v4 plus defending team's GK attacking scenario.
(5). The middle player receiving the ball should drive into the attacking zone quickly with speed and look to draw in a defender before playing a through ball into one of their teammates in the attacking zone as shown by the red team in the diagram. Once this player has passed into one of the attacking three, they support play underneath or make a forward run to attack the opposition goal.
(6). The attacking team should attempt to combine and score against the four defenders.
(7). If the attacking team scores or the ball leaves the pitch, the coach will feed another ball into the other midfield player for the practice to go the other way.
(8). If the defending team wins possession, they must attempt to pass into their midfield teammate in the
central zone, who should look to receive on the back foot and play into that team’s attacking zone.
(9). Players rotates roles on coach's call to experience both attacking and defending roles.

(10). The coach also switches to the opposite side to serve the ball into the central zone at intervals.

Coaching Points (Attacking):

(1). DIRECT PLAY - As this game is mostly played within the final third, attackers should be direct both on the ball and off the ball. Players must be creative and must finish on goal as early as possible.
(2) SHOOTING TECHNIQUES - Attackers should use a range of shooting techniques i.e. placing, curling or striking through the ball should all be used.
(3). ONE-TOUCH GIVE & GOS - Playing give and gos using one touch will enhance the chances of playing around the defenders and creating finishing opportunities.
(4). FORWARD PASSES - Forward passes are vital when attempting to breakdown the opposition. On attacking transitions, players should look to find a player within the central zone as early as possible.

Coaching Points (Defending):

(1). STOPPING SHOTS - Defenders in both end zones are tasked with the challenge of stopping shots and showing the ball into wide areas to then attempt to steal possession. "SHOW WIDE, WIN WIDE."

(2). RECOVERY RUNS - If a defender is beaten in a 1v1 or finds themselves out of position, it’s vital they makes a positive recovery run to try and have an impact on the attack.
(3). RECOGNISING CHANCES TO STEAL THE BALL - The initial thought of the defender should be to win the ball or may be force the ball away from goal before looking to win the ball.
(4). PRESSING TRIGERS -Defenders must then recognise the pressing triggers, which could come from a heavy touch, poor first touch, bouncing ball, slow ball speed etc from the attacking team

Progressions:

(1).  Both middle players are allowed to enter either attacking zone once the coach has passed the ball into the centre section, creating a 4v5 plus GK in either direction.
(2). If the defending team wins the ball back, an attacking player from the opposite area can drop into the middle section to receive the ball to create a counter-attack. Both middle players will then have to recover into the central.