Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): passing combination/pattern of play / moving the ball/ third man run /midfield rotation

Screen 1

Set Up.1 or 2 groups dependent on numbers (scenario shows 7 players with constant movement of the ball)

width 30 X length 40 or from edge and width of 18 yard line to half way line

3 central Players in shape of a midfield 3 in a 4-3-3 formation 

All other players set on corners of the rectangle.

Cones / Mannequins / Plenty Balls

For progression 2 add mini goals

The Initial pass is played by Player A into the RH sided player B. Player B lays the ball off to player C who plays a  long pass in to a forward position player D. D lays the ball back off into the ACM player E and in turn receives a mirror pass from the same player and plays in to player F's feet. F commences the same pattern of play from the opposite side and middle players rotate in the same manner .....see next slide for example. Players A, C and E all advance one position with Player B being the only player to remain in his holding position when pattern play commences from LFB/CH.    

Coaching Points 

Quick Movement of the ball

Touches in central area

Communication

Movement to receive ball (mannequins introduced to gain movement form central 3 players)  

Screen 3

Progression 1 

the drill commences with with player A playing a 1-2 combination with the left sided DCM player B , player A then plays a diagonal pass into player Cs feet for him to play a reverse pass into the ACM Player D who lays this off into the path of the player B. Player B now plays a long pass into the most advanced player E. Player E players a mirror pass with player D who plays the ball into player F to commence the drill from the opposites side , again only players A,B,and D advance with player C remaining in a holding position.     

Screen 5

Progression 3

the drill commences in the same pattern of play as in progression 1 and 2 however on the final pass into player E he can now combine with Player C in a 2 v 1 against Player F and play to a finishin the small goal  as before the drill is worked from both sides of the pitch 

Screen 7

Game related practice unopposed in final third

Set up as shown pitch reduce pitch size dependent on age of players , 

5 V 3 +2keepers total players 

Rotate outfield players on each practice and work on both sides of the pitch and vary the patterns of play ( above shows the second pattern of play with the RB advancing to give cover and balance with the DCM in the event of a counter attack from the red team 

We now look to build play from the back from keeper to the widest attacking red player. We look to play in the same pattern of play as previosulsy  

where mannequin's are replaced with opposition players (blue) Scenario shows the build up play through our central three mids and CF dropping off to link play. The final ball is played into the wide area for the overlapping full back. The left sided ACM attacks the box centrally and the CF loops to the front post with the secondary ACM attacking the back post giving a 4 v 3 overload. Defensively the 2 CH must stay tight and compact  with the DCM (blue) dropping back to the front area to try and deny the cross from wide.

At this point we are not looking for the 2 wide players (bue) to track back to allow the scenario to flow. We would look however for this in a free play SSG scenario. This also gives the option of a counter attack if play breaks down in the box an blues can attack at pace in the wide left area. See next slide 

Screen 9

Conditioned game

Set up as shown 

8 V 8 Blue team 3-1-2-1 and Reds 3-2-1-1 

Free Play