Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U11 PS W2 - Movement off the ball/Through Balls (Start Time: 2022-11-27 17:30:00)

Skill Intro (15 mins)

"Introduction to Through Balls"

Set Up: 20x30m area with a 3m zone and mannequins/poles in the middle. Goals at each end.

Game:

1. Divide the players in to 3 teams of 3 with a GK.

2. Teams 1 & 3 start at one end. Team 2 starts at the other.

3. Coach plays a ball to any player in Team1.

4. The team can either dribble or pass up to the halfway line at which point they must play a through ball past the mannequins for a teammate to run on to.

5. Players combine and attempt to score. Team 1 joins the line behind Team 2.

6. Game restarts with the coach playing a ball to any player from Team 2.

Progressions:

1. Introduce defenders to the middle zone.

Coaching Points:

1. Deception/dragging defenders: can players RWTB at an angle towards defenders before playing a diagonal through ball for a team mate to run on?

2. Movement off the ball -

i) Can players stay onside before the ball is played and time their runs to receive the through ball just behind the mannequins/defenders?

ii) Can players make clever runs that will increase their chances of scoring - front post/back post, delayed run in the middle to stay out of the GK's range.

3. Creative play/crossing - in the attacking half players have to decide on the best creative goal scoring options. Do they:

i) Shoot

ii) Play a cross

iii) Draw the GK by attacking him and slide a cut back to a team mate on the far post.

4. Passing accuracy/passing weight

5. Communication - tell them where you want it.

Skill Training (25 mins)

"Through Ball Zonal Game"

Set Up: 20x40m area divided in to 10-20-10m zones. 4v4 with GKs.

Game:

1. Play starts from GKs who play through to the defender.

2. Defender attempts to link up with the players in the middle zone.

3. Players from BP team can either dribble into the attacking third or play a through ball for a teammate to run on to. Attacker cannot be in the final third before the ball is played (apply offside rule).

4. Once the ball is in the final third, 1 player from each team can enter the zone to support their teammate and create a 2v2.

Progressions:

1. Adjust size of area to increase/decrease difficulty.

2. Allow 1 player from BPO team into the defending half to press the BP defender.

Coaching Points:

1. BP team should focus on keeping possession in the middle third - using defender to play back to if need be - while trying to create opportunities to break the lines into the final third.

2. Attacking the final third - can the attacking player go 1v1 and look to shoot or pass to supporting player? Or can they draw the defender by running at angles and create space for a through ball?

3. Passing - play the through ball in front of your teammate and help them shoot first time.

4. Movement off the ball - can the support player time their run to receive the ball in a good position?

5. First touch/body shape - if they can't shoot first time, can players open their body up and take their touch towards goal to finish quickly?