Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Switching Play

Technical (15 mins)

Set Up

60yd x 40yd area, with goals available each end.

12 players bibbed on arrival, cones required and extra balls

Pitch set up as in diagram.

Aim

To switch play by playing through the team using quick passes to create scoring opportunities.

Conditions

Play starts with A1, he plays the ball to A2 and follows the ball, A2 plays to A3 and follows. A3 then plays the ball through to A4 when A4 is in position to run onto the ball (A3 follows the ball), A4 then finishes. Players to pass cone to cone.

By following the ball, players are rotating in position.

Progression

1. Passing gates to create more accuracy of pass, players can move to receive ball.

2. Final ball gates given numbers 1,2 & 3, A4 to call the numbered gate when he is ready, A3 then passes the ball through that gate.

Mechanics of Passing

1. Look at target. 2. Eye on ball. 3. Angle of approach. 4. Non-kicking foot alongside ball in a comfortable position. 5. Strike Centre of ball with inside/outside of foot (Identified area of the ball).

6. Firm ankle. 7. Follow through towards target.

Mechanics of Shooting

1. Get your body in a position to strike. 2. Angled approach. 3. Non-kicking foot beside the ball.

4. Head over the ball. 5. Select Surface & Strike: E.g. Laces, Inside.6. Follow through.

7. Accuracy (and Aim)

Skill (20 mins)

Set Up

Same pitch size as Technical with a 20yd x 20yd area in side as above and for zones marked out around the inner box. 2 small goals in either corner opposite end of main goal.

Aim

To switch play by playing through the team using quick passes to create scoring opportunities.

Conditions

Coach passes ball into wide player.

As in technical, the aim is to switch the play and move ball into the striker for a goal scoring opportunity.

One attacker can leave the box at a time.

Only one of the outside players can move into the box this is to create a overload stuation.

1 point if the Striker scores, 2 points if a attacker runs through to score.

Yellow players mus stay in their boxes.

If yellow intercept, they have 5 seconds to score in one of the smaller goals (vary times if required according to ability.

Goalkeepers are brought in and rotate.

Progressions

1 Ball must first be played back into own half.

2 Ball must be played through defender.

3 One yellow from middle zone can move into another zone.

Challenges

Vary type of pass. Vary part of foot to make pass. Good communication. Minimum touches. Quick passes.

Mechanics of Passing

1. Look at target. 2. Eye on ball. 3. Angle of approach. 4. Non-kicking foot alongside ball in a comfortable position. 5. Strike Centre of ball with inside/outside of foot (Identified area of the ball).

6. Firm ankle. 7. Follow through towards target.

Mechanics of Shooting

1. Get your body in a position to strike. 2. Angled approach. 3. Non-kicking foot beside the ball.

4. Head over the ball. 5. Select Surface & Strike: E.g. Laces, Inside.6. Follow through.

7. Accuracy (and Aim)