Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Combination Play - Passing Combinations

Main Activity (20 mins)

Organization:

30x30 yard area with 5x5 area in the middle

4v4+1 inside the grid, 2 players of each team on opposite ends as shown

Instructions:

1. Teams play 3v3 or 4v4 inside the area with two target players positioned on the outside of the area.

2. One team plays North to South the other team plays East to West.

3. The objective is to receive from one target player and play to the next, this action scores a point. 

4. If the defending team wins the ball they should look to pass out to their target player.

5. Rotate target players after a set time limit.

Coaching Points:

1. Players on the inside should check at angles so that their body position is side on to play forward quickly.

2. Awareness - receiving player should check both shoulders before the ball arrive to assess options.

3. Inside players should look to be positive and create space in order to play forward.

4. Width and depth is important to create spaces as group.

5. Target players on the outside need to be aware which foot to pass into – high pressure front foot, low pressure back foot

6. Target players should be moving sideways to create passing angles

Progressions:

1. Two touch limit on the inside.

2. Players on the inside can not pass backwards to target players only forward.

3. Add neutral player in a 5x5 area. If they go through the neutral in the middle score is doubled.

Match (20 mins)

Organization:

9v9

Instructions:

Regular Match

Coaching Points:

Creating width.

Overlapping in the width.

Communication.