Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): RWB (with channels)

Technical (10 mins)

Key Factors -Technical Practice (5 mins)

·        Running with the ball

Organisation

·        Coaches available at session: 2

·        10 Players. (2 groups, bibs - Blue/Red)

·        30x 20 area

·        White cones for perimeter

·        two rows of 5 red cones to mark thirds of the pitch

·        5 green cones outside of the white perimeter to mark channels for RWBduring SSG

·        Goal each end

Layout to remain the same throughoutthe skill/technical and SSG practice sessions

Aim of the session

Encourage running with the ball by providingopportunities to do so unopposed and opposed.

To move with pace applying the mechanics

Technical

2 groups of 5players, with 3 players at one end of area, 2 at the other (opposite eachother).

All players need aball

Players take it in turnsto move from one side of the area to the other. When player reaches the other side, next player goes

Mechanics

Running with theball

1. Get ball out offeet.

2. Make contact with the laces

3. Head up

4. Get into running stride

5. Move quickly

Observation/interventionconsiderations: 

Coaching position: One coach eitherside outside the practice perimeter moving to observe mechanics and all aspectsof technique and practice

Is the practice areaappropriate? Consider fatigue,opportunity to apply the technique in the space laid out. Based on observations, increase or decreasearea size.

Monitoring pairs, feedback ontechnique and praising / encouraging good technique (1-2-1)

Keywords

'Pace into space'

Progressions - use weaker or both feet

Small Sided Game (25 mins)

(Transition: Drinks break)

Key Factors:

5v5 (with GK)

Organisation:

Spare footballs on outer edge - coaches/either side to keeps the game live by re-introducing the ball if it goes out.

Coaching position - outer edge to observe group and be close to spare footballs to keep play live.

Objective:  Apply / encourage running with the ball skill wherever possible

(15 minutes)

·        5 mins

o   Free play. Have the players taken the learning on board and applied it?

·        10 mins

o   Add challenges: Can you travel through zone(s) by RWB - 1point per zone travelled through.

o   Move into the channel to RWB and try to cross 2 zones. 1 defender only allowed in the channel at a time

·        Final 10mins (remove the white perimeter to leave the green cones as the touch line to create more width to play in

o   Free play. Have the players taken the learning onboard and applied it?

Conditions/Challenges:

·        Can players drive into space with the ball through thirds for a bonuspoint

·        Can defenders winning the ball immediately break into space?

·        Condition: No points for running backwards through zones (positive play only to break lines going forward)

Observation/intervention/considerations: 

Based on observations, if players are not applying the skill, introduce the thirds/channels to re focus them on the objective sooner

Are players off the ball using width to create space for others. Stop the practice to highlight and question and demonstrate

Don't forget to coach the game, not just the skill

individual - observe correct technique and mechanics. In-play reminders of mechanics to improve (consider rolling ball time/impact on player during practice/during break/after practice)

Considerations: Area size big enough to achieve success? If not, increase width as practice is live.

Encourage:

Key words - Pace into space

Width to stretch and create space on the pitch

movement, finding space

mechanics

be specific on positive feedback(well done for creating the space. Good running with the ball, nice control of the ball - not just well done, good)