Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U8/9/10 10-04-23

2-Goal Attacking Game (15 mins)

This attacking exercise is to improve players decision-making and execution of passing and shooting with U-9 players. Using desirable difficulty and contextual interference, the activity can/will be modified based on the skill level of the players.

Organisation:

• Area size 12x20/18x30 (Depending on number of players used). 
• 2v1 passing and shooting game with two target goals to score on. 
• Blue team attack first with coach starting the play by passing a ball into one of the attackers.
• Rotate team roles after 3-4 minutes. 

Modify/Progress:

• If blue team are scoring too frequently/difficulty is too low, allow another defender to make it 2v2. (additional defender can start in front or behind the ball)
• Add an attacker to make 3v2, more information for players to perceive/adding interference and difficulty.
• Passing to attacking teammate to score is worth 2 points, dribbling and scoring without passing is worth 1 point. 
• 1 touch finish earns 2 bonus points!

Attacking Principles:

• Engage defender - (player in possession)
• Movement/Support of teammate (space)
• Decision-making (pass or dribbling) (Awareness)
• Quality Passing (pass in front of teammate)

• When might you decide to pass? (attackers)
• What information helps you make that decision? (attackers)
• When might you not pass to your teammate? (attackers)

3v3 Wave Game (15 mins)

Organisation:

• 3v3 Small Sided Game
• Option is to play winner stays on or both teams go off once a score/time limit is reached. (Max time 2 mins for players being inactive)

Modify:

• Make 2v2/4v4

Attacking KP's:

• Quality Passing - Timing, Weight, Accuracy (+10 years)
• Soft touches - control
• Big touches - to go past the defender
• Change of speed/direction to beat opponent
• Movement to Receive (+11 years)
• Playing with head up - scanning

Defending KP's:

• Delay
• Show away from goal
• Pressing - who, why, where
• Cover & balance - teammates
• 'High to low' & 'Fast to slow' 'jockey'

Transition KP's:

• Quick Reaction to winning/losing possession
• Can we regain possession quickly (defenders)?
• Can we play forward and score quickly (attackers)?

Questions:

• Where could I stand to support my teammate on the ball if he is under pressure?
• When we are attacking, do we want to make the pitch big or small (and why?)?