Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Session 7 - Transitioning

Warm Up (15 mins)

Duration - 16 minutes

Area Needed - Centre Circle

Objective - To prepare the players for a technical transitional session using relevant football actions and dynamic stretches

Method:

• Players are split into 2 teams of 8
• 4 from each team start inside circle, 4 from each team start on perimeter of circle
• Blue Team try to keep possession and can use their team mates on the outside
• Red Team try to win back the ball and score into any of the 4 goals - they can also use their team mates on the outside
• 4 x 3 minute rounds, with 1 of dynamic stretching after each round
• Players rotate in and out of circle after each round

Coaching Points:

• increase tempo by limiting touches for rounds 3 and 4
• look for defending team to work together inside grid when out of possession 
• encourage quick transitions

Transitions through play using attacking overloads (20 mins)

Drill 2 - Transitions through play using attacking overloads

Duration - 20 minutes

Area Needed - Width = 5m wider than width of 18 yard box, Length = 40 yards

Objective - To improve our transitioning

Method:

• Red player attacks GK in 1 v 1 scenario

• When 1st attack finishes, Red player transitions to defence, 2 Blue players enter grid as attackers, creating a 2v1 attacking overload
• Once a player enters the grid, they stay in the grid until the drill finishes
• More players enter grid as attackers each time previous phase finishes - final phase will see an 8v7 attacking overload
• Players transition from attack to defence or defence to attack each time a new phase begins
• When defending team win possession inside a phase, transition to attack and score into mini goals
• 5 x 3min 30sec rounds, 30sec rest between rounds

Orientation:

• Rotate GK every 3 phases to maintain intensity (lots of shots)
• Use 18 yard line as on offside marker to ensure players get back onside when transitioning from defence to attack

Coaching Points:

• Instant transitions each time a phase ends
• Attackers to play as wide as possible - move ball quickly
• Defending team close gaps between units
• Width and depth in attack, narrow and compact in defence

Progressions:

• Introduce shot clock to increase tempo of transitions
• Keep score to make drill even more competitive