Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Academy U9/U10: Playing to Feet vs Playing to Space

Highland Football Club

Hasani McKenzie

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Set Up:

Use a grid approximately 20*15 with an additional 5 yard end zone at each end. Teams get a point by passing or dribbling into the end zone.
Split the kids into two teams and have each team on opposite ends of the field as shown in the diagram.
The game is initiated by the coaching always playing a ball to the team of 2. The team receiving the ball will send two players and the defending team will only send one player. At this point the three kids on the field will play 2v1.
Be sure to switch sides so that both teams get a chance to attack and defend.
Progression - after a couple rounds make it so that the team of 2 can only score by playing a pass that leads their teammate into the endzone. If the teammate is standing in the endzone before the ball is passed, they are offside and no point should be awarded.

Coaching Points:

What do you think you should do when you first receive the ball with space? Dribble at the defender to make them come towards the ball creating space behind them
What should you do when your teammate gets the ball? Move to a space at a good angle where you can receive a pass
Do you always have to play the ball directly to your teammate's feet? No you can also play the ball into space for them to run and meet the ball
When do you play the ball into space for a teammate? When they are running and their is space in front of them
Players should also be encouraged to dribble in order to create a new angle if their teammate is not in the best position to receive the ball immediately.

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

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Set Up:

Use a grid approximately 30*24 with an additional 7 yard endzone on each end.
Play 3v3; teams score by playing a pass that leads a teammate into the endzone. If the teammate receiving the ball is standing in the endzone before the pass is played they are offside and no point should be awarded.
When the ball goes out, three new players for each team enter the field. Teams are not allowed to defend inside the endzone.
Regression - If a group of players really struggle then allow them to dribble into the endzone for a point at first. After they get used to the activity then ask them to only score by leading the teammate into the endzone with a pass.

Coaching Points/Guided Discovery:

Dribble with head up to see where the defenders and your teammates are located
What are some combinations you could do to get past defenders? Give & go, overlaps
How do you know when to play the ball into space for your teammate vs playing it directly to their feet? If they are running and have space in front of them I should play it in the space in front of them.
Should your pass go directly to where the runner is or in front of them? In front of them, so they don't have to stop to receive the ball
If you don’t receive a pass from your teammate immediately what can you do? Find a new space to create a better angle for the next pass
What can you do if you have the ball with a lot of space? Dribble into space

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

Set Up:

Play 3v3 to big goals in a 30*24 area. Approximately the same set up as the previous activity but now the endzones are replaced with actual goals.
When the ball goes out, a goal is scored, or time goes too long – three new players for each team enter the field.

Coaching Points:

When do you want to dribble? When you have space; or when its 1v1
When would you pass the ball instead of dribbling? When too many defenders come towards me
What can you do to help you get pass a defender when dribbling? Do move (e.g. scissor), change speed and direction
Where can you go to receive the ball from your teammate? In a space where there are no defenders between you and the ball
What should you do when you have the ball and see space leading towards the goal? Dribble and try to shoot before defenders take away the space.
How do you know where the space is? Looking up while dribbling/looking around if my teammate has the ball
How do you know when to play the ball into space for your teammate vs playing it directly to their feet? If they are running and have space in front of them I should play it in the space in front of them.

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