Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Elite FC Counter Attacking (Transitions from the Middle Third) - Cycle 1 Week 7

Positional Rondo (30 mins)

Organisation

This is a position specific Rondo used to warm up the players in their natural positions. 

Score a point every time the MIDDLE player is used to keep possession. 

Set up another Rondo with right sided players alongside.Place a mini-goal 10 yards behind the defenders.

How to Play

Try to work the ball from the defenders to the forward player.

Try to play with as few touches as possible.If Team B regain the ball they try to score in the mini-goal.

Progressions

Allow the MIDDLE player to rotate with either the LM or other CM.

Possible Coaching Points

Pace and accuracy of pass.

Support play.

Gradually build tempo.

GRP (30 mins)

Organisation 

The area is half a pitch. 

Team A has two forwards v 3 defenders from Team B in the attacking half. 

Team A has five midfield players v 3 players from Team B in their defending half initially. 

Team A's midfield players can only cross halfway line after the ball is played forward.

How to Play 

Play starts with the GK rolling the ball out to any Team A MF player.

They should then try to advance into the attacking half as quickly as possible to get strikes on goal. 

Team B restarts after a shot or goal and attack Team A's goal. 

Team A drop off to allow the ball to cross the halfway line.

Progressions 

Team A play 1 or 2 touch to change the tempo of the game. 

Team B can add a recovering defender when Team A attack.Possible Coaching Points

Pace and accuracy of forward passes. 

Timing, angle & distance of support.

Game realistic tempo throughout.

Team & unit cohesion.Attitude to get forward and support quickly.