Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): September 24 - Ideas for Tryouts (Start Time: 2019-09-24 15:45:00)

3 Ball Pressure (30 mins)

This is all about teamwork and teammates using the ball or stopping opponents from winning it. Press hard and the defenders will win the three balls in the fastest time – the clock starts ticking the second the first ball is kicked so players must move quickly.

Why use it

This session is all about possession versus pressing with a three ball game which mimics the pressures teams face on match day.

Set up

You need balls, bibs and cones. Set up an area 25 x 25 yards (smaller is harder bigger is easier) with a 5 yard square in the centre. We used 13 players in the session (but it works with any number you choose).

How to play

Split your team into 7 possession players and 5 pressing players plus one player who stands in the centre square. The possession team has to play with three balls and the pressing team must win the balls and get them to the player in the centre square. Time how long it takes to win all three balls and switch teams to see which set of players does it the quickest.

Technique

Fast passing and receiving, pressing skills to force mistakes and win the ball. Game is played at a high tempo making it harder to keep the ball.

Give the passing team three balls which they have to keep between them and not let the pressing team win them

Make sure players are interchanging the play and passing all three balls around all the players

possession v pressure

Possession v pressure

With two balls taken the final ball has the focus of both teams and needs hard work from both teams

NSEW (15 mins)

Equipment

- Balls, Bibs, Cones

Organization

- 15x20, 20x25 or 25x30 yard field - depending on age and experience of the players

- 3v3 or 4v4 in the middle with 2 target players - one on each end

Implementation

- One team goes East-West, the other team goes North-South

- Teams score points by passing the ball to their target player on the end line

- Once the ball is passed to the target player on the end line the player who passed the ball to the target player enters the game and the player that passed them the ball takes their spot on the end line (make-it-take-it)

- Target players should move across the line

- Once the ball is in play after a point the team MUST advance or try to go forward, they are not permitted to go back once they have clear possession

- Upon transition the teams can score in any direction

Coaching Points

- How quickly (how few passes) can the team get the ball forward to their target player on the end line?

- Remember - priority in terms of decision making - first look is FORWARD - if the forward pass isn't on, then the player should look left or right for SUPPORT

- A good opportunity to coach support - as the player on the ball should have 3 passing options - a forward option and an option on their left and right

- Is the first attacker getting her head up and looking to penetrate at the earliest opportunity?

Corners (15 mins)

Equipment

- Balls, Bibs, Cones

Organization

- 2 equal teams, 8 to 12 players

- Target player in each corner

Implementation

- Teams score points by playing passes in between the corner goals into the feel of a team mate

- Teams also score points by playing 1-2 on the field during the run of play

- Teams also score by playing 1-2s with the target player in the corner

- The player that plays the pass into the team mate in the corner takes her spot in the corner (make it-take-it)