Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Physical Considerations

Physical Considerations

Coach Task 1: Outline the key components of fitness that need developing pre adolescents (puberty) between the ages of 5-14 years?

Coach Task 2: Outline the key components of fitness of fitness that needs developing post adolescents (puberty)ages 14+?

Coach Task 3: Using one of the above components of fitness, please design a session that focuses on developing this component specifically

The key components of fitness that need developing pre puberty are more the Anaerobic energy fitness activities. Its activities that can be done without oxygen, for quick bursts of high intense activities in a smaller space. 

The key components of fitness that need developing post puberty are Aerobic energy fitness activities. These components will require oxygen, sustained moderate intensity and more use of space. After puberty players will need more of aerobic activities and to improve their aerobic capacity they will need hard sessions of endurance to obtain the age matching capacity to be fit to play high intensity games.

In this session, I will be using an Aerobic fitness training session on endurance to post puberty boys. 

Session Objective: Aerobic fitness on endurance with switching play principles as game principle.

Session Organization: I will be coaching the BLUE team with the principles of switching play. 

Blue team: 1-3-3-1 (8 players) Working from the back 11V11 1-4-4-2 I have removed 1 defender one midfielder and a striker.  

Red team: 1-3-3-1 (8 players) Working from the back 11V11 1-4-4-2 I have removed 1 defender one midfielder and a striker. 

Total number of players: 16 players

Pitch size: Half pitch.

Duration: 15 mins specific 10 mins SSG.

Conditions, Challenges & Targets: Players will first go through 5 mins 3 blocks with a 1 minute break in between, switching play passing in the half pitch with a challenge of making a pass with less than 4 touches and less than 6 seconds on the ball. Each successful 6 passes without opposition interception is a goal. Both teams will have the same targets to score likewise and also 6 seconds will be the challenge to win back the lost ball. Defenders and attackers will be conditioned not to switch zones. Hence players are spread across the half pitch for realism.

After 3 blocks of 5 and a minute in between each block we will then go into a 10 mins small sided game with goals as target to score, conditions on defenders and attackers removed for realism but the 6 seconds rule of releasing and intercepting the ball in play for the endurance and intensity of the game. Extra 5 points will be given to any goal scored after a switch to the wide area and score on goal hence maintaining the switching play principles and the aerobic endurance physical consideration of the session. 

Problem 1: Running with the ball while easy passing options.

Solution: Early scanning and options on the width to switch play and open option again to receive.

Problem 2: Blocked passes from the middle by Oppo.

Solution: Go around or over and made the switch.

Reflections:

Good aerobic endurance was achieved by the switching play principles obtained in the session.

I enjoyed the fact that the boys sometimes played the tiki taka simple switch passes and the running movements of the team had a good stamina endurance level on all.

I did let the session flow well, did intervene during instances of dribbling and hold up play to release the ball early and keep their minds on switching.

I felt that the space for next time should be more for more aerobic success. 

Action plan: Try the session on full pitch 11V11. Apply the challenges, conditions and targets at the start but take out conditions early for more realism, and creativity hence they enjoy the session without even complaining about the tiredness while we as coaches get a good endurance session out them with aerobics in a switching play drill.