Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): WEEK FOUR - RECEIVE & PLAY FORWARD (Start Time: 2022-09-28 16:30:00)

Screen 1 (15 mins)

After a thorough warm-up before we start, this is the first in a three part 'Receive & Play Forward' session where the players are encouraged (how) to receive the ball and then subsequently use it positively.

Here we split the team into two, with half the squad situated around the area with a football each and the other half are inside the area - there are some central cones which the players have to navigate both with and without the ball. To begin with the players move towards a team mate on the outside who has a ball, they receive it and instantly turn and dribble through the coned area and out the other side to pass to another outside player who is free (no ball). The inside player must then turn and make a zig-zag run through the cones to receive from a different outside player etc. Change the inside and outside players often.

COACHING POINTS: Encourage inside players to scan over their shoulder BEFORE they receive a pass, and also AS they receive a pass from the outside - knowing what's around them and where the spaces and other players are. They should also be receiving at an angle, encouraging them to open up their body and receive the ball with the inside of their back foot. Second touch should be with the other foot in the direction they intend to go.

We also want good, effective, calling (for the ball) and also for the outside players to give instruction to "TURN" immediately prior to passing. Players should use small touches and dribbling skills to negotiate the central cones and to play with their head up to avoid collisions with other dribbling players.

Screen 3 (15 mins)

In a S-S-G we have two teams with three zones (central space is for receiving). Each team has a defensive overload (4v3) to encourage the players to play out from the back. When a pass looks possible an attacker can drop into the central zone to receive the ball (cannot transfer from end zone to the other directly). Defending team can only enter the middle zone on the attacking players touch. If the pass doesn't come immediately then the attacker should drop out and allow a team mate to come in elsewhere. If a team scores, they retain possession, if the defenders win the ball they attack the other goal under the same rules.

COACHING POINTS: Try to play out from the back by creating space to receive, opening the body to be able to play forward, check the shoulder and space around you for opponents and team mates. To progress the session, we allow the defenders to enter the central zone when they want (e.g. they don't have to wait for that first touch from the attacking player).

To finish the session we will remove the central zone and any restrictions but still encourage the players to move to create space before receiving, have an open body stance if possible, play with minimal touches and always look to play forward first.