Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Principles of Play Introduction

Introduction (15 mins)

Organization:

start with 8x8 area and 8 players...expand size for progresssions

-12 players (6 Red, 6 Yellow)

-2 balls (1 for each team)

Instructions:

-Teams earn a point by getting a ball from one target player to the other target player.

-Whoever passes into target player switches roles and becomes the target player.

-The winner is the first team to "X" points or play a timed game.

Coaching Points/Questions:

-Technical: Receiving with body open (back foot vs. front foot), first touch

-Technical: Weight and direction of passes to help teammates next action

-Constant movement off ball

Progressions:

1) Every player must be involved (touch the ball) before getting ball to far target player

2) Teams have 2 balls in play (only use this if both teams have at least 4 in the middle)

3)

Conditioned Game (25 mins)

Organization:

2 teams

1 ball

25 x 35 yard field

6 goals

Instructions:

Players can score any of the 3 goals opposite of them

3 points for central goal...1 point for wide goal.

Encourage attacking best space vs most points. Can we move the defending team with our passing? Can we attack at speed?

Coaching Points:

How can we get past the defense through possession?

- Constant movement off ball to confuse them

- Patience in possession to make defending team move a lot

- Speed of play (make decisions before defender closes you down

- Disguise a pass

Principles of play: width, depth, support, Mobility, penetration, improvisation

Where is space to attack?

Progressions:

Reg if not enough passing is happening: 1 point for every pass completed