Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Shooting (under pressure)

Introduction (10 mins)

Organization: 5 vs 5 + GK's - European Team handball

Instructions: Team's must move the ball quickly w/step restriction and finish (volley) requirement.

Coaching Points/Questions:

-1) Play the ball forward - FAST

-2) Serve a ball to a teamate in postiion to finish

-3) Deliver a service that faciliates his finish

-4) Quality of finish // body over ball - keep it on frame & low

Progression - Add the Flick Zone for GK distribution -- 1 touch forward flick that doubles the tally of a score on that sequence if they are able to finish.

Conditioned Game - 3v3 Continous (10 mins)

Organization: Space is 30 x 30. Play with 5/6 on each team plus GKs. There are starting positions at each endline where players start from. Balls are located at the opposite corner of the grid and play will always start there. This exercise incorporates rest when the players are waiting to step on, so intervals of 5-7 minutes are appropriate. Play at least 2 intervals, switch the location of the balls.

Instructions: Yellow starts with the ball and runs on the field with a ball, at the same time Red steps out to defend and prevent a shot. This initiates the 3v3 duel. If Yellow shoots and scores or shoots and the ball goes off the endline, they stay for the next duel and a new blue team of 3 runs on with a ball to attack. Thus, a new 3v3 duel with the same Yellow. If Red takes the ball from Yellow and shoots and scores or misses, a new Yellow 3 run on with the ball. Basically, anytime the ball crosses the opposing endline, the defending 3 are off and a new 3 from that same team run on with a ball. If the ball crosses the sideline, there are 2 options for rules. Either, the appropriate team takes a throw-in, or, the team that played the ball out is off, with a new 3 coming on.

Coaching Points: This game should be very fast and should become (by design) chaotic There is a demand for players to think and react to the rules as they happen fast, but to also step out and close down space. The attacking team is so close to goal that if the defenders give them any space, there is room to shoot, which means the defenders are likely to have to step off. Many 1v1 duels. Opportunity for attacking players to create and score, demand for all players to defend and support to prevent shots and goals. High physical intensity and high competitiveness must be balanced to eliminate injuries. Consider a no slide tackle rule, all players must stay on feet. This also encourages proper defending and moving feet.

Progressions: LEFT FOOT ONLY