Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U15's - Breaking Lines (Playing Forward)

FAW Coach Ed

Daniel McNeil

Profile Summary

Name:	Daniel McNeil
City:	Wrexham
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

Organisation (Practice Layout & Transition)

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): End Zone Possession

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End Zone Possession

Prior to start

- Introduction to DMc

- Expectations

- Values

- Principles

What to expect (Pre Season)

SESSION OBJECTIVES

To develop a team’s in-possession principles through:

• Playing forward at every opportunity
• Breaking lines to progress possession
• Creating goalscoring opportunities

AREA SIZE/ORGANISATION

5v5 with a common player no GK's

40x40 yards

EXPLANATION

This is an end-zone possession game in which players are divided into two teams of 5. Three pairs of mannequins are used to form gates at halfway.
Both teams should attempt to combine and score by dribbling into the end zone they are playing towards. Doing so successfully will earn a team one point.
- Should a team pass or dribble through one of the three central gates before dribbling into the end zone, they will gain two points.
- If teams are successful in dribbling into the end zone, they retain possession and start again with another ball served in from the side by the coach.
  PROGRESSION
IN POSSESSION
OPENING THE PITCH
• In possession, teams should be encouraged to open the pitch up as quickly as possible by spacing themselves across the playing area.
QUICK ATTACKING TRANSITIONS
• As possession is regained, demand that play go forward at the earliest opportunity. Players should recognise whether to drive and dribble with the ball, or combine quickly with teammates to progress.
PLAYING IN SPACE
• Challenge the players to find space within the playing area. This can work to drag defenders out of position, open up other passing lanes and create opportunities to receive the ball on the half-turn and create point- scoring possibilities.
FORWARD RUNS IN BEHIND
• Players can exploit space in behind the opposition by making forward runs to create other forward passing opportunities.
DISGUISED PASSING
• The players aiming to split an opposition defensive line should be encouraged to use disguised passing in order to deceive the opposition defenders.

BODY SHAPE TO PROTECT & CREATE
• As players find themselves in tight areas with pressure from behind, they must adopt a side-on body shape to allow them to keep the defender away from the ball.
• This can also open up opportunities to pin and roll the defenders, or combine with players supporting from beneath.
OUT OF POSSESSION
AGGRESSIVE REACTIONS TO POSSESSION LOSS
• Ensure players react in the appropriate way to counter-press when possession is lost. Teams must be encouraged to win the ball back as quick as they can.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Directional Game

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Directional Game

EXPLANATION

This directional game sees players split into two teams of 8, plus goalkeepers (Only 1 GK for the session so one outfield player in net or a coach) . The playing area is divided into five vertical channels
Both teams should look to combine and progress up the pitch before taking a shot on goal.
As per the work done in the first two practices, players should be encouraged to pass forward at the earliest opportunities and as much as possible.
Players are allowed to play backwards if necessary, although any player doing so to a teammate in the same channel must play off one touch. This encourages players to play forward or look for teammates on different lines.
If play becomes too hectic, the coach can temper the need for forward passing and allow teams to build possession more patiently – this is more realistic to
a match environment.
Both teams to play in a 1-1-3-3 formation (working back from a 1-4-3-3)
Reds - Gethin, Sonny, Sam, Fish, Adam, Freddie, Zach, Alex
Blues - (Rotate GK's) - Logan, Ben H, Corey, Teifi, Louis, Samson, Jay, Levi

IN POSSESSION

MOVEMENT TO SUPPORT

• The coach should constantly remind players to offer support to the player in possession of the ball. Once the ball-carrier has played a pass, they should move to support look to get the ball back quickly.

1v1 ATTACKING OPPORTUNITIES

• Always encourage players to dribble and take on defenders if they find themselves in 1v1 situations. Players must recognise space in and around them to create these chances.

COMBINATION PLAY IN AND AROUND THE BOX

• The use of quick combinations within the opposition half will cause disruption to the defending team and open up opportunities to create goalscoring chances.

OVERLAPS & UNDERLAPS

• Players should be encouraged to use overlaps and underlaps at the appropriate times.

CONTROLLING THE GAME

• For the final part of this practice, players should be challenged to work more controlled possession. This may see teams recycle possession more often before trying to penetrate with forward runs and passes.

OUT OF POSSESSION

RECOVERY RUNS

• Ensure players are giving maximum effort when recovering on defensive transition. Players must look to disrupt possession to limit goalscoring chances.

RECOGNISING WHEN TO PRESS OR DROP

• As the in-possession team is attacking, the defending team must recognise opportunities to step up and put pressure on the ball, and when to fall in and encourage play wide to limit space.