Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Possession and Penetration

SAQ (10 mins)

Set Up: 2x 2 yard starting gates, 4x 2 yard finishing gates (2 blue in line with and 10 yards from eithr side of nearest starting gate, 2 yellow 20 yards opposite blue), 4-6 SAQ/agility marker cones, players in pairs and split into 2 teams

Organization: On coaches command each pair race through the SAQ marker cones in a way designated by the coach (bunny hops, 2 forward 1 back etc.).When past last marker the player must check over his shoulder, the coach holds up either a blue or yellow pinnie just before the first player does this. If the coach holds up a yellow pinnie the first player through the yellow gate wins a point for their team (and the same for blue). Play first team to x amount of points

Coaching Points: Your decision is based on the information you receive from checking your shoulder

Progressions: Teams now split, half go into opposite gate and have balls -if coach holds up blue pinnie, a double pass must be played and ball stopped in between blue cones to score point. -if coach holds up yellow pinnie the player must take positive 1st touch toward yellow gate and stop ball in between to score point.

Pattern 3 (10 mins)

Set Up: In roughly a 30 x 30 area, two diamonds back to back, 1 player at each cone, at least 2 players at the start cone. Size of diamonds can vary based on level, desired outcome [balls, cones]

Organization: Pattern is as follows: 1 - 2 - 1 - 4 - 3 - 1 - 4; repeat in other direction

Coaching Points: weight of passes [especially final pass], movement off cones, body shape, timing of passes and movements, communication, angles of support, layoff vs. firm passes, two touch vs. one touch.

8 v 8 (30 mins)

Set Up: 3/4 field with counter gates, teams play 8 v 8

Activity: Attack tries to score in big goal. Defense tries to dribble/pass through gates to keep possession (i.e. pass to player onsides). Ball starting positions can vary.

Variations: [1] Attack must complete set number of passes before scoring, [2] after scoring on small goals, switch directions, [3] gain points for team attacking small goals by playing through one gate, and runner most come through other gate and receieve the ball in order for goal to count, [4] limit touches, [5] remove restrictions and add big goal at end for scrimmage, limiting coaching points

Coaching Points: quick passing, good tempo, weight and accuracy of passes, interchanging of positions, movement off the ball, recognizing moments to penetrate, position specific considerations.