Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Principal Based 7 Out of Possession

breaking lines (20 mins)

General Practice (20 mins)

Organisation/Area size 

- two 25 x 15 yards, with a 10-yard channel in the middle 

- 12 players split into 3 teams of 4 

- yellows occupy the middle channel as defenders, while red and blue occupy one end zone each

- 2 x min blocks with 2 min break in between with a 2 min introduction 

explanation of session 

By playing through, around or over the yellow defenders, the team in possession (red/blue) aims to move the ball from one end zone to the other. In an effort to regain possession and score in a mini goal, two yellow defenders may move into an end zone where the ball is to apply pressure. the two defenders go back to the middle channel and the other two teammates go press the ball in the other end zone 

 Players should look to break the defensive line by playing split passes for two points or by finding routes around or over the defenders for one point each, while the defending group aims to win the ball and score in the mini goal for two points. If the defenders regain possession and move the ball into the opposite end zone, they switch roles, and the team in possession with the team losing the ball becomes the defenders. team in possession must make three passes before breaking a line 

Key Points:

 Players are urged to break the defender's line by playing split passes through = two points, around = 1 point, and over = 1 point. The defence's goal is to win the ball and score in a goal = two points. The team that lost possession becomes the defenders if the defending team can recover the ball and choose to move it to the opposing end zone. Before attempting to break the line, possession teams must make three passes. If the team in possession splits the ball between the two pressing defenders and then moves it to the opposite end zone, they score a bonus point 

In possession:

Play through, around, or over the opposition. Make the pitch large in both width and depth, and aim to have a forward move, the ball quickly with few touches, and alter the defender's approach angle with the first touch. Routinely scan the pitch while keeping your body open when receiving.

Out of possession:

- Force play wide and be aggressive on the first touch and work across as a unit. Stay compact as a unit to prevent split passes.

Progression in the second block – one blue player may enter a wide zone and play into their team to play around if the red team has three passes in possession. a team in of of the end zones switches to become the team out of possession if they dont keep the ball under control 

Coaching points  Ball speed, play through around or over. Width & depth in possession to open up passing lanes into the final third. Movement to playing between the lines, body position to turn on your first touch. Vary surfaces of your foot when making killer passes to disguise the passes. Awareness to see the picture early to execute the killer pass. Vary technique of killer passes e.g. drilled, lofted, curved, etc. Using overloads to find the killer passes, drive & slide. Look at the target, eyes on the ball. Angle of approach, standing foot planted comfortably alongside the ball. Strike the centre of the ball, firm locked ankle. Follow through towards target for pass to be smooth.

reference list

This practice is designed to align with the Welsh Way to Play, particularly the principle of “playing through, around, and over” opponents to progress the ball with purpose. By structuring the practice around three teams of four, players are exposed to repeated, realistic decisions about breaking defensive lines while simultaneously developing the ability to protect central areas when defending. The constraints, challenges and targets such as rewarding split passes, limiting touches, requiring three passes before progression, and incentivising defenders to press aggressively create a representative and game-relevant learning environment. Research on small-sided and constraints-led practices shows that manipulating scoring systems and task rules enhances decision-making, scanning and spatial awareness while reinforcing desired tactical behaviours (Clemente et al., 2014; Davids et al., 2013). The tight zones and requirement to play forward under pressure support the development of line-breaking actions, which match-analysis literature identifies as critical to effective ball progression (Sarmento et al., 2014). Similarly, the aggressive and realistic defensive behaviours encouraged in the practice reflect principles identified by Carling et al. (2005) regarding compactness, pressing and preventing central penetration. Using repeated directional transitions also increases the perceptual and technical load on players, consistent with the benefits of small-sided games highlighted by Hill-Haas et al. (2011), ensuring players develop the ability to recognise, create and exploit passing lanes in dynamic, opposed scenarios. Overall, the design of this session brings together key elements of the Welsh Way intelligent possession, forward-thinking play, and purposeful progression supported by evidence-based constraints that drive both attacking and defensive learning outcomes. 

References (Harvard Style) 

Carling, C., Williams, A.M. & Reilly, T. (2005) Handbook of Soccer Match Analysis: A Systematic Approach to Improving Performance. London: Routledge.

Clemente, F.M., Wong, D.P. & Martins, F.M.L. (2014) ‘Acute effects of passing constraints in small-sided soccer games’, Human Movement Science, 36, pp. 177–186.

Davids, K. et al. (2013) ‘An ecological dynamics approach to skill acquisition in sport’, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 16(4), pp. 463–468.

Hill-Haas, S.V. et al. (2011) ‘Small-sided games in soccer: a systematic review’, Sports Medicine, 41(3), pp. 199–220.

Sarmento, H. et al. (2014) ‘Match analysis in football: a systematic review’, Journal of Sports Sciences, 32(20), pp. 1831–1843.