Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Extra distribution session 1 + 2

S1 Exercise 2

Key Factors

This exercise includes putting the working GK in a match realistic situation where they will be put under pressure from an attacker after receiving a back pass from a defender. This situation will allow th GK to work on their decision making skills as they will have to choose how and where they will distribute the ball from the quality of their touch by dealing with the back pass.

The exercise will begin by the ball being played into the goalkeeper, as the ball enters the 18 yard box, the attacker will begin closing down the GK in order to put them under pressure. The GK will then take a touch in order to open their bodies to make a pass across the floor to either small goal (acting as wingback) or a lofted chip into either winger. After passing the ball, the ball player will move their positioning in order to vary the passing angles whilst the GK is resetting.

In order to develop this, the coach will call out a target for the GK to pass the ball to, while varying the quality of passes in order to increase the match realism as every pass will not be a good pass especially if a defender is under immense pressure.

Organisation

4 footballs

2 mini goals

2 players as outlets

1 attacker

1 defender passing back

S2 Exercise 1

Key Factors

• This basic rondeau drill is to get the GK comfortable with the ball at their feet in a small space whilst under pressure. This exercise allows each player a small area to provide a passing angle to support the player on the ball. To begin, the only restrictions that will be places is that there's 3 maximum touches allowed with every first serve being uncontested(first pass is free rule) to get the exercise underway. 
• Every time a player loses the ball they will be placed in the middle as the attacker. If the pass count gets over the marked target of 20-30 passes, then the person in the middle will be swap. If the passing is too easy, then I will add in a development of limiting the number of touches down to 2 with a slight decrease of playing area. 
• My main concern in this exercise is that the GK doesn't become flustered whilst on the ball. If they aren't confident on the ball whilst under pressure, then I'd implement that the attacker in the middle isn't allowed to tackle only pressure and cutting off passing lines. This is because I want the GK to focus on each touch of the ball being positive and also making small angled movements in order to provide support.
• Another addition that I will be looking for is the GKs use of communication. This exercise provides the GK a chance to use their communication skills before the game phase. Their communication should be short, clear and commanding and not complex, inaudible or coming across as moaning. This due to the fact that the GK is there to encourage their team mates and not get on their backs.

Organisation

• 4 cones spaced out in a square, 10 yards apart (6-8 yards in developmental stage)
• 2-3 balls spaced outside the area for a sharp replay
• 1 attacker in the middle
• 3 defenders including GK

S2 Exercise 3

Key Factors

This exercise will involve a standard training match inside one half of the pitch length wise and the width of the 18 yard box. The reasoning behind this is to decrease the amount of space to encourage players to play quicker passes and encourage to use outlets such as the goalkeepers more often. This will set the GKs in a more realistic match scenario as they will be required to position themselves to receive a pass at any given moment whilst being under pressure from opposition players. The exercise will work in 8 blocks of 5 minute games with 2 minute rest in between.

It is crucial for the GK to remain active throughout this exercice as they will be expected to deal with and distribute pass backs whilst under pressure. They must work on a line as pictured above (red line) in order to provide an effective outlet for team mates and also providing themselves sufficient time in order to distribute the ball. In this exercise, I will be watching closely on the GKs movement patterns off the ball to see if they are positioning themselves effectively and also be watching how they deal with receiving and passing the ball whilst under pressure, making sure that the GK is using effective and minimal touches as well as placing the ball in an effective are in order to pass the ball rather than having to reposition themselves which wastes time.

If the GK is struggling to deal with the pressure, I'll advise the coach to give the players a longer rest period in order for me to discuss what the GK is finding difficult in the exercise. If the GK is struggling with the lack of time on the ball then I would ask them how they would rate their positioning off the ball. After they find that their positioning is poor, then I'd provide ways they could increase the time between him and the attacker (such as taking the touch away from the attacker). If the GK finished the session unsatisfied then I will base the next session surrounding the issue.

Organisation

2 teams of 9 (including GKs)

2 full size goals

1 half of a full size pitch 

10 pitch markers in line with the width of the 18 yard box marking all the way to the half way line