Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Playing through the back line

4v4 playing through (15 mins)

Set Up:

2 teams of 4v4 (plus 4 waiting), in an area 20x35 yards. The area has 4 mannequins dividing the area through the middle

Instructions:

BP: The team must work together to keep the ball, and look for an opportunity to make a "splitting pass" between the central defender (mannequin) and the wide defender (mannequin) (green zone)

If they can make a splitting pass they continue the game on the other side of the field (grey zone) and see how many times they can get though the defence.

BPO: The team have 3 active players that work to win the ball, with one player locked into the centre back zone (red zone). If the BPO team win the ball, the player locked in the central (red) zone should drop into the space in behind (grey zone) and the team should look to use this player as a "reset" to start the game over again.

The games go for 2 mins then change over so the waiting players come in

Variation/Progression:

Harder for BP: Allow all 4 BPO players to be active, and press the BP team. The BP team still can't play through the red zone.

Easier for BP: Lock in 2 BPO players into the red zone, where they basically become the two central defenders.

Key Coaching Points:

Keep the ball moving quickly, with limited touches, and lots of movement off the ball.

Ask for the ball by making the run into the space

Try and play the ball THROUGH the back line, rather to the player to then dribble through.

Player Coaching Points:

Can you be a passing option?

Can you make the run to where you want it?

Can you do a "give and go"?

Are you already too high to make a run?

4v4(+4) playing through active (20 mins)

Set Up: remove the cone markers for the "mannequin" players

Instructions: the "mannequin" players can move up and down and left and right, however they should look to move as a unit

Variation/Progression:

Key Coaching Points:

Player Coaching Points: