Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Switching Play UCMS 3.30.16 (Start Time: 2016-03-30 16:15:00)

Pattern 1 (5 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: Player 1 plays to player 2. Player 2 receives the ball across their body and plays the ball to player 3 who lays the ball off back to 1. Player 4 checks away and makes a forward run, and is played the ball by player 1. Player 4 dribbles the ball to other end. The same pattern is going on the other side at the same time.

Coaching Points: weight of passes [especially final pass], movement off cones, body shape, timing of passes and movements, communication

Pattern 3 (5 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.

9 v 9 to Corner Boxes (35 mins)

Set Up: Area is 44 x 40 yards, split in half, with 4 corner boxes, 18 players total [9 v 9], [balls, pinnies, cones]

Organization: Teams play 7 v 7 in one half of the field, with one player from each team, set up in opposite [diagonal] boxes. The team starting in possession will attempt to make 4 passes, before switching to their target man on the other side. When in possession, the target man in their half can "float" and serve as an extra attacker, making an 8 v 7 on that half. Once the ball is switched, those players return to their box. After each switch, we try to make a completed pass to finish the move and look to repeat on the other side.

Progressions: [1] limit touches, [2] allow through ball into other half, using midway line as offside line, before playing to target, [3] add a goal and GK at each end, when ball is played into a box, now a serve for a cross is made, but must think about defending counter attack too.

Coaching Points: awareness, technique in receiving and passing, checking shoulder, playing in tight spaces, decision making, balance in attack, defensive pressure and cover, not to allow the switch