Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Passing and Receiving - Session 9

Technical Repitions (15 mins)

Organization:

20x10 yd areas, 4 players per group, 2 in each color set up as shown, 2 balls per group

Instructions:

- player in middle checks away from ball then checks back at an angle to either side, player with the ball plays the ball to receiving player as they reach the cone on the side

- player in the middle receives the ball and plays back to the same player

- first player now plays longer pass to the third player

- third player moves along the opposite line to find the passing lane

- Third player receives with a positive first touch and dribbles at speed back to beggining line

- each player rotates up one position

- rotation is continued for 2 minute rounds

- count each full rotation as 1pt, keep score in a race to a certain amount or until the round is over

Coaching Points:

1. Weight of pass

2. Accuracy of pass

3. Timing of pass

4. Body shape when receiving

1v1 Conditioned Game (15 mins)

Organization:

20x10 yd areas, with small goals on endline, 4 players set up as shown, extra balls behind each endline

Instructions:

- 1v1 in central area, 1 small goal on far end

- target player with the ball plays into his teammate in the central area, defender must allow attacking player to have the first touch on the ball, but attempts to win the ball and score in conter goal after the 1st touch

- receiving player works with supporting player to score in small goal, looking to play double pass to open up passing lane for supporting player to score

- supporting player may enter the field of play but must stay on defensive half of the field

- alternate service from each team for two minutes

- 3pts for turning and scoring at opposite target, defender scores 1pt for stealing the ball and playing back into target, 0pts if the ball is played out of bounds

- rotate pairs after set amount of time (2 or 3 minutes)

Coaching Points:

1. create space to receive with movement away from the ball before checking back into space

2. check at an angle to create the space to receive on the back foot

3. sideways body position ready to receive

4. check shoulder to observe position of the defender

5. choose which foot to receive with based on the position of the defender

6. use of double pass to create passing lane for supporting player to score

7. open up new passing lane after layoff in case defender blocks of lane to goal

Progressions:

- defender does not need to allow attacker to have the first touch on the ball, can attempt to intercept the pass and score on counter goal