Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Penetrating passes

Activity: Penetrating Passes (20 mins)

Organization: 13-15 players. Set area per diagram, with 2 larger areas at ends, with a narrower area in between them.  Net at one end

Activity: Divide players into 2 teams.  In area closest to net place 2 attackers and 1 defender.  Middle area begins with approx 4 defenders.  Area farthest from net begins with approx 5 attackers.  Coach/feeder will play ball into attackers in area farthest from net, at which point defenders in middle area can send 2 defenders to try to win ball.  The remaining 2 defenders in middle area shift side to side in attempt to block passes.Attackers pass ball around in attempt to create passing lane to pass ball through middle area to opposite end to either of 2 attackers.  Passes completed to opposite area create a 2v1 with attackers trying to score on net. If defenders win ball, they keep possession and try to pass ball to middle area to create a 3v2 with players in area closest to net and try to score.  

Coaching Points: Are players looking to make penetrating passes each time they have possession. If there is no penetrating pass, do the have a plan and are making possession passes with purpose to set up penetrating passes. If they are planning ahead, either: positioning body for 1 touch pass, or; directional first touch out of feet to set up pass, or; delay with multiple touches to wait for pass to develop. Head up and watching options and defenders continuously when off the ball so to prepare positionally and mentally.  Can players read defensive line and attackers movement so to make find open players.  Decision making:  play ball to feet of open players vs play ball to space if attackers marked.  If passing lanes blocked can attackers make passes to teammates running to space (ie. Diagonal passes to straight runs if defenders tight to middle, ie. Straight passes to diagonal runs if defenders wider)