Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): In possession: Attacking through the thirds (Start Time: 2018-03-17 10:00:00)

Locked in (20 mins)

Organisation: Team in possession (focus) playing 1-2-4-2 vs 1-3-4-1 (6v6, 7v6 or 6v6 with neutral player in middle and in red teams defensive third if 2 neutral players). Ensure there are plenty of footballs by the goals to ensure repetition. Aim to play the ball through the thirds to score 1 point and score also. To get players can get used to the practise and to avoid "bunching up" players are locked into their thirds as displayed. In the example there is a 2v1, a 3v3 and 1v1 for the team starting in possession in an 7v6 so the team in possession can enjoy success and the opposition can play under the pressure of an underload. 

The practise starts with the ball on the goal line and the goalkeeper must kick, opposition can not tackle but can intercept (10-15 minutes). After some successes by the team in possession (white team), allow tackling (full pressure, no sliding tackles) (10-15 minutes), rotate players so both sets of players get an opportunity to try different positions and scenarios in this practise. Adapt numbers to suit ability and number if players on the day, if some players are not involved directly in the practise for a few minutes, the opposition goalkeeper can introduce a different coloured ball and the opposition can attempt to play through the thirds while the other ball is active to create further chaos in the game and engage more players.

Individual focus: Central midfielder (8)

Unit focus:  centre backs (5&6) and 8 (primary), 8 with the wide players (2 and 3), 8,2 and 3 with the striker (9). 

Primary focus: Looking to penetrate each third to score a point.

Secondary focus: can we maintain possession and build until an opportunity to play forward  arises.

Tertiary: Can we create a goalscoring opportunity once the ball is in the final third.

Opposition management: Look to win the ball and get forward quickly. 

Coaching position: On the sideline but a particular focus on the central players.

Coaching points:

- Decision making selection of pass type (short/ long), height, part of foot, which foot passing to (receiving player), which player (are they marked? are they outnumbered in their area of the pitch? Can they combine to overload their area of the pitch?).

- Pass execution/ penetration e.g. technique of pass (passed to back foot, front foot if under pressure, chest etc.), pace of pass, curl if needed.

- Supporting players positioning and movement off the ball to support current and future player on the ball (difficult).

- Checking shoulders for opponents, space to exploit, create or maintain and team mates.

- Supporting players move in front of, away or behind defender as necessary, half turn to receive, side on . 

- Width and dispersal: create width and disperse to create space in central areas for 8.

Interventions: Allow players to have a go for ten minutes and guide learning by questioning pass selection (when, where and why?), how we can support the player on the ball (use of tactic board) and who are directly working with the 8 (units)? During play regularly praise and re-iterate coaching points with goalkeeper and other parts of the units. If play continually breaking down change format e.g. 7v5 or similar with neutral players to increase success.

All in with offsides (30 mins)

All in players are free to roam, for U11+ lines can be offside lines to give realism and encourage timing of runs forward. Can have 6v6 with neutral players or one tam with an overload (7v6).

Coaching points: Encourage players to rotate position for example if a CB comes forward a wide player or 8 can rotate and drop to defensive line, if striker comes into middle third, 2, 3 or 8 look to get forward. for the first ten minutes teams still get a point for playing through the thirds.

Intervention: Stop every 10 minutes for teams to talk and guide discussion around coaching points. Allow 15-20 minutes of uninterrupted play and make note of occasions of success for plenary.