Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U9/U10 Academy: Introduction to Building Out the Back/Playing From a Goal Kick

4v1 Rondo (10 mins)

Set Up: 

• 15x15 grid (some groups may now have the ability to use a 12x12 grid).
• 4 players along the outer lines of the grid with 1 defender in the middle trying to intercept the ball. The defenders are allowed to tackle the player in possession of the ball.
• The 4 attackers should be placed on a side of the grid instead of a cone in the corner of the grid. We want the players to be able to move to create angles to either keep the ball.
• Possession team of 4 must take two touches, first touch should be across your body (with the foot that is furthest away from the ball). 
• Rotate the defender after each minute. 
• Progression: Play 3v1 inside the 15*15 space so that players will need to recognize where to move to create a good angle. Players are no longer restricted to a side of the grid. 

Objective:

1. Player with the ball should look at location of defenders and play away from defenders

2. Players without the ball should look to create good angles to receive ball. Get to a location where a defender is unable to block the path of the ball to you

Coaching Points:

• Passing technique - heel down, toe up, inside of foot, hips pointing in direction you want to pass
• Receiving technique- inside of foot, in the direction you want to go next. Receive ball across body (with far foot)
• Movement to get open- Where can you go to be open? Is there a defender blocking the path between you and the ball.

6v3 to gates (20 mins)

Set up: 

• Use half of the 7v7 field. Have a large goal on one end-line and and three gates approximately five yards wide on the halfway line. 
• The team of 6 players (red in diagram) defends the large goal and scores by dribbling or passing through either of the three gates. 
• The team of 3 (blue in diagram) tries to win the ball and score on goal.
• Use the build out line to make sure the defending team of 3 must stay behind until the ball is played. (Build out lines is the red dotted line between midfield and the top of the box).
• Ball always starts with the goalkeeper. Rotate players so that all players get a chance a play out from the back with the goalkeeper.
• Progression: Team of 6 is now is only allowed to dribble through the wide gates but can still pass through the gate in the middle.

Coaching Points/Guided Discovery:

• Receive ball across body to give yourself the ability to see more of the field
• Where should you pass the ball to be able to move forward? Away from the defenders
• How can you help your teammate when he/she has the ball? Get into space to make the field bigger
• How do you know where the defenders are? Looking up when I have the ball.
• How do you know where the space is? Looking around when my teammate has the ball

• What can you do once you find an opening? Pass through it or dribble
• Is it ok for the center back to dribble before passing? Yes. You should dribble if there is space in front of you but pass ball before the defenders get too close to steal it