Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Supporting attacks & defensive recovery

Screen 1

Set up

5v5 (no goalies) pitch size c40m x 20m. c5m end zones marked out - these are the scoring zones (ie players can only score when inside the end zone to avoid long range blasting, or similarly the end zone rule can be taken out if enough players for goal keepers). A neutral zone is marked out in the centre of the pitch (c5m) - no ball play can take place inside the neutral zone.

Players need to keep at least two players in each half at all times.

Play can only transfer from one half to another via a pass (ie not by being dribbled through the neutral zone).

When defending, each team is allowed one player to transfer back from attacking half to come back and support (similarly one of three defenders can join attacking half when play transfer).

Note the transfer of players is dynamic - ie any player can transfer between halves to support attack or defence - it shouldn't be fixed roles

Coaching points

Speed of decision making for players to support play when transferring to opposite half and they need to do so quickly.

Work rate required for all players (ie shouldn't be the same 1/2 players always transferring. It is particularly important for midfielders & wingers to support.

Progression

Instead of one player from each team being able to transfer to opposite half, this will now be the first two players to reach the opposite half, even if its two players from the same team that creates a 4 v 2 overload

Additional coaching points

Speed of transfer & work rate becomes even more important when a play transfers to other end of pitch when a team has committed higher number of players to other half - this is important when support is required in defending half or also when looking to support attacking play (especially on the counter attack).