Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): SIL 21/05/25 - TIKI TAKA to LONG BALL

TIKI TAKA PASSING

TIKI TAKA PASSING 

OBJECTIVE - 20 min total (all progressions)

We want to improve our ability to play one touch football in tight areas to relieve pressure or to create attacking opportunities.

In particular for tonights session, we want to quickly move the ball to a centrally positioned team mate once we have locked the opposition on one side, from which we can then play a long diagonally switch of play ball to the wide forward attacking spaces.

FUNCTION  

• 2 x grids operating simultaneously - every player to have a ball.
• Play starts at one end, with player passing to the central player and receiving a give and go (one-two pass) in area 1, and then area 2.  
• As soon as the central player has played the pass into area 2 then immediately turn to receive a pass from the starting player at the opposite end who has a ball ready to go (we want this all to be done at speed), and the sequence is repeated in areas 3 and 4.
• The original starting players dribble to join the end of the opposite line.
• Continue until all players have been through and then rotate the middle player.
• Once all players have been in the middle move to 'progression one'.

COACHING DETAIL

• Where the central player sets the ball is key - in front of but not too far!
• Central play must control the speed on the pass and place in front of the receiving player.
• Receiving players to run at speed, but be conscious of not over-running the pass (too early). 
• Receiving players also control the speed of the pass and look to play to outside foot of central player, (particularly with second pass to assist with body shape to play quickly and accurately  forward).  

TIKI TAKA PROGRESSION TWO

TIKI TAKA PASSING 

OBJECTIVE

We want to improve our ability to play one touch football in tight areas to relieve pressure or to create attacking opportunities - this progression is to reinforce the habit of scanning and checking away to create space.

FUNCTION - Progression Two  

• Still 2 x grids operating simultaneously.
• We now only operate from one end with only one ball per grid.
• We change the far end gate cones to two different colours, here orange and purple.
• We have a coach or assistant at the far end who holds one orange cone and one purple cone.
• Play starts with the lead player dribbling to the first gate then playing a bounce pass with the central player - as they do this the coach at the end holds up one of the coloured cones they are holding and this determines the direction of play to follow for the two working players. 
• After playing the bounce pass the central play then immediately scans and drops back and beyond the gate behind them identifying the coloured cone as they do this. 
• As the central player drops to receive the starting player moves to the middle supporting underneath.
• In this first segment of the animated diagram the coach has held up the orange cone meaning the receiving yellow player must play around the orange cone and combine to play a give and go (one-two passes) in area 3, and then area 4.  The second group plays around the purple cone as this is the colour held up by the coach.
• Once they complete the last pass the ball is played to the next waiting player and the sequence is repeated with the central player having to scan and go in the direction indicated by the cone held up by the coach.    

COACHING DETAIL

• Central player must be passed the end gate to receive the 2nd pass (so they can attack the give and goes at speed). 
• Scan early to identify the coloured cone (simulates scanning for space and/or threats).
• Central player must control the speed on the pass and place in front of the receiving player.
• Speed of ball and movement critical and must be rapid.
• Receiving players to run at speed, but be conscious of not over-running the pass (too early). 
• Receiving players also control the speed of the pass and look to play to outside foot of central player, (particularly with second pass to assist with body shape to play quickly and accurately  forward).  

GAME TRAINING

TIKI TAKA TO LONG BALL

 ORGANISATION 15 + GK - 30 min

• Not sure how many players we have, will adjust as necessary.  We will have just over a half pitch max so will set up as per diagram (if we can grab more of the pitch we will).
• The pitch has a no retreating line as depicted by the red line at the top of the shaded long ball target areas.
• No player can enter this area (other than GK) until a pass/long ball is directed to this area.
• Here we are working off 16 players.  Blue play 2-3-3 / Yellow play GK-4-3.  
• Play starts with the coach playing to a deep lying Blue player.
• Blue look to create space to play a long ball to the target areas, and to score in the big goal.  Any goal scored as a result of the long ball counts double.
  
• Yellow look to win the ball and score in one of the 3 small goals.
  

COACHING DETAIL

• Although the focus is on the attacking long ball, we also want to identify when it is on to attack centrally.
• Patience in initial receipt of possession to draw and lock the opposition on one side of the pitch, this will help us to create space for an attacking long ball.
• Quick and decisive movement and ball speed is essential once we have identified space to create an attacking long ball.
• Our wide players must look for the 'cues' of when a long ball is to be played (team-mate on the ball is in space, gets head up, ball out from feet), and be proactive in attacking the target space.
• Early supporting central runs to support the wide receiver, as well as support underneath the receiver.