Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Principle Based Session - Breaking lines by stepping in (A Licence Assesment 1)

Session (25 mins)

• 45x25
• 14 players w/GK (7v7) 
• 2 Big Goals
• 4x4 min blocks 1min rest (20 mins)

Session Explained:

Play starts with either GK (balls in each goal), each teams aim is to score in the opposite goal. Players are locked to their zones unless they are in possession of the ball.

The player in possession can step in with the ball into the next zone to create an overload, if they pass the ball they cannot join the next zone. They only become 'unlocked' if they step in with the ball. 

The aim is for players to step in and create a central overload from the first phase, and then to try and create a 2v2 in each of the end zones.

For Example in the diagram, RED are in possession 

BLUE locked to their zones

RED locked to zones unless they are in possession of the ball - options to pass to next zone or step in and break a line.

When a team loses possession they have 4 seconds to win the ball back, if they fail to do so all players return to their original zones. 

Coaching Points:

• Decision making - when to step in and when to pass
• Movement off the ball, make it hard for opposition to mark you and create space for team mate to step in
• Create passing angles using the depth and width of the zones
• Open body shape receiving the ball, good first touch.
• Desire to step in and invite pressure to find the spare player.
• How do the players out of possession in the goal zones angle their runs to stop the player stepping in.
• USE BOUNCE PASSES, Bounce the ball back so the player can dribble out of the zone.

Progressions:

• Could add time/touch limit to players receiving the ball from the GK to encourage speed of play.

2 - Encourage the team in possession to split and make use of the space in the zones

3 - Ask the team OOP to sit off in the middle zone, how will the team in possession manage to break the lines

4 - Combine everything from previous blocks 

Finishing Drill

Pattern of play Finishing

Ball starts by being passed into the CM's, combination play between them and the 10 to get the ball out wide.

As the ball goes out wide 2 CB's come out to defend the cross, attacking the cross will be;

2 CF's (DD/DD)

10 (TW/JB)

Opposite side WB

1 CM (JG/PJ)

Done at 3/4 pace compared to a match day, not quite match pace but not slow.