Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Combinations- Overlap, Double pass

Technical Work (15 mins)

Organization:

- 24x12 areas

- 4 players per group, 2 in each color set up as shown, 2 balls per group

Instructions:

- Player in middle checks away from ball then checks back at an angle to either side, player with the - - ball plays the ball to receiving player as they reach the cone on the side

- Player in the middle receives the ball and plays back to the same player

- First player now plays longer pass to the third player

- Third player moves along the opposite line to find the passing lane

(as seen in grid 1)

- Third player receives the ball and plays pass to supporting player

- Supporting player slides up the field to receive the ball with plenty of space between him and the defender

- Receiving facing up to the defender and dribble into the space toward the center of the area

- As the player with the ball cuts in-field, player without the ball performs an overlapping run to the outside of the player with the ball

- Defender puts pressure on the ball in the defensive half of the grid (defender is providing passive pressure)

- Player with the ball sets it into space for his teammate with the outside of the foot

(as seen in grid 2)

- Each player rotates up one position

- Rotation is continued for 2 minute rounds

- Count each full rotation as 1pt, keep score in a race to a certain amount or until the round is over

Coaching Points:

- Recognize that there is space to perform the overlap (defender sitting back)

- Initiate overlap with pass and call of 'hold'

- Cut inside with the ball to create the space to playthe pass back into the overlapping run

- Timing of overlap to exploit the space and unbalance the defender

- Play the pass with the outside of the foot that is closest to the supporting player

- Release the pass at the last possible moment

- Ability to use overlap run as a decoy and beat the defender with a scissor

Progressions:

1 - allow the defender to try to win the ball

1v1 Conditoned Game (20 mins)

Organization:

- 24x12 fields, small goals on each endline

- 4 players set up as shown, extra balls behind each endline

Instructions:

- Activity begins with same passing pattern as previous activity

- 2 attacking players now play 2v1 to goal against the defender

- Attacking players can onlyscore in the attacking half of the grid

- Defender trys to win the ball and score in the counter goal

- Rotation is the same as previous activity

Coaching Points:

- All previous pts

- Quality of end product

- Ability to use supporting player as a decoy with the use of a scissor move