Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Tactical week 2

Drill 1

To begin the session I will introduce the players to a basic passing drill to prepare them for the session ahead. The drill will begin with player 1 starting with the ball will then play the ball to player 2 who then will take a touch out of their feet to then play a pass into player 3 who will then repeat the same steps as player 2 and play the pass into the player behind player 1. There will be four players in each triangle as two players will start where player 1 is. They will then change direction and player 1 will pass the ball to player 3 instead of player 2. Each direction will last 2 minutes and I will ensure that the tempo of the drill is high and each drill is quick and sharp.

The next progression is that the two groups will be switching the play or breaking the lines to the other teams numbers. For example blue player 1 will start with the ball pass the ball to player 2 and then player 3 will receive a pass from player 2. Once player 3 has received the ball from 2, they either switch the play or break the line to pass the ball to pink player 4. Whilst this is happening pink player 4 will start with the ball, pass the player 5 and player 5 will pass to 6, once this has happened they will pass the ball to the second player behind blue player 3 who will then repeat the same steps as before. If the players then start to feel comfortable I will make sure they change direction.

Small sided game

Now that the drills have been finished i want all the players to implement the topics of breaking the lines and switching the play within the box I will create. To start each team will need to make 7 passes before they can have a shot on goal. The players in yellow on the outside are on two touch and are bounce players, so whoever plays them the ball will have to then create another angle to receive the ball. There are no limit of touches yet but again 7 passes will be needed to be able to score a goal.

The next progression is that all players are on two touch, this is to ensure that players are not taking to long on the ball and slowing down the game. Within this game players will still need to complete 7 passes whilst maintaining only having two touches. Another rule that will introduced is one touch finishing. This is to carry on from week 2 that was based on shooting, I want to carry on each topic from every week as much as i can within every session.

The final progression is that it is free play, this is to let the players enjoy the final part of the session and let them express themselves to help them practice. However the players on the outside still need to touch the ball before a team can score, this means they both have to touch the ball before the team in possession can score. If this is not followed then I will bring back the rule of the limit of touches to stop players from going against what the session topic is about.