Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Combination Play

Unopposed / Semi-Opposed (30 mins)

Prior to Activity:

Players go through their Dynamic warm-up and SAQ.

Organization:

4-6 players per grid

1 Ball in play

Extra balls off to the side

Instructions:

As shown in diagram. Note Left-Grid shows the passing pattern. Middle-grid demonstrates the Unopposed activity. The Right-grid illustrates added (Semi-opposed) pressure.

Unopposed:

1. First Player (A) checks to the yellow cone, receives the ball from Player B on the red cone and passes the ball back.

2. After passing the ball back, the Player A spins off and makes an angled run further up the channel, to receive the ball back through the blue gate.

3. Once Player A receives the ball through the blue gate he/she then passes the ball back to the next person in his/her line, Player C.

4. As soon as the Player B makes the long pass to Player A through the blue gate, he/she will then start their run back to combine with Player C.

5. Same occurs on the other side.

Semi-Opposed:

1. First Player (A) checks to the yellow cone, receives the ball from Player B on the red cone and passes the ball back. While Player A checks to the cone, Player C follows behind them as passive pressure.

2. After passing the ball back, the Player A spins off Player C and makes an angled run further up the channel, to receive the ball back through the blue gate.

3. Once Player A receives the ball through the blue gate he/she then passes the ball back to the next person in his/her line, Player E. (If there is no player = dribble to the cone and set for Player C)

4. As soon as the Player B makes the long pass to Player A through the blue gate, he/she will then start their run back to combine with Player C.

5. Same occurs on the other side. Player D is passive pressure for Player B.

Coaching Points:

1. Movement off the ball to receive.

2. Vision - Player checking shoulders quickly before and after receiving the ball.

3. Players ability to recognize pressure (tight vs. loose)

4. Selection of foot and surface to receive the ball, based on pressure.

5. Player's ability to control and manipulate ball away from pressure, if they receive it on the wrong foot.

6. Execution of move.

7. Execution of next action - pass/shot.

Conditioned Activity (15 mins)

Organization:

Half field

Minimum of five players

1 Ball in play

Extra balls off to the side

Depending on numbers training session require two setups

Instructions:

1. Focus is on recognizing that Pressure and Cover are tight, quickly finding a teammate to pass to, and finding a way to receive the ball back behind the defenders.

2. Give and Go

3. If defenders are not quick to pressure the ball, player receiving it may open up on her back foot and look to shoot right away if option is available.

Coaching Points:

1. Vision - Player checking shoulders quickly before and after receiving the ball.

2. Players ability to recognize pressure (tight vs. loose)

3. Selection of foot and surface to receive the ball, based on pressure.

4. Player's ability to control and manipulate ball away from pressure, if they receive it on the wrong foot.

5. Player's ability to quickly find an alternate option to maintain possession of the ball, by passing to a teammate.

6. Player's mentality to stay connected with the play.

7. Execution of next action - pass/shot.

Rotation:

Defending Group

The first two defenders enter area and apply pressure to the #7/11 immediately after #10/8 passes the ball to #9. Once the first defenders enter, that will trigger the second tow defenders (#4/5) to quickly move through the SAQ before enter the field. Defenders switch roles after every rotation.

* SAQ * - (#4/5) Forward side to side shuffle through the cones. Backpedal to the last cone and accelerate forward. Progression on SAQ: Run forward, side to side shuffle back through the cones, and accelerate forward once you've reached the last cone.

Attacking Group

Players rotate to the right. On #9 first touch defenders are live.

* Speed up activity * - Players must rotate and start sequence in x amount of time. After x amount of time, defenders are live and may pressure.

Progressions:

(P1) - #4/5 Starts SAQ prior to #9 receiving the ball to add immediate pressure. On #9 first touch #2/3 enter and pressure #7/11.

Game:

Add two counter goals that defenders can counter on. See how many goals each group can get in set time. Group with most goals gets to start with the ball in the end Scrimmage.

Time Management:

> Each group gets 10 minutes to deliberately practice Attacking role and Defensive role.