Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Academy - Possession: Playing to Feet vs Space

Pac-Man (15 mins)

Use an area approximately 25*25. Divide players into groups of three and give each player a ball.

Round 1: Working in groups of three, the players attempt to pass and move and complete as many passes as possible within the area, focusing on technique of the passes and ensuring they have their head up to avoid the other groups.

Look for the players to make large passes and reward the groups for keeping their passes on the ground and moving immediately after passing.

Round 2: Give one of the groups a ball each. These players will attempt to get into passing lanes and break up the passes that the groups of three are making. Reward players for finding space and working together using communication, verbal and body language.

Round 3: Have a different group defend and this time have the players keep track of their scores.

They score a point each time they are able to make a pass to a teammate, but if a defender touches their ball to the team's ball, their score goes back to zero.

Round 4: Have a different group defend, and during this round give 1 point for a pass to a teammate, and 10 points for a pass that splits any two of the defenders.

Coaching Points:

• Execute proper technique for a pass - inside of foot, hips and standing leg points/faces direction in which you want to pass. Follow through straight with ankle locked
• Need to have good vision. Pick head up while dribbling so you know where to pass.
• What should the players without the ball be doing? Moving to get open to receive the ball
• Vison while dribbling
• Do you always have to play the ball directly to your teammate? No. sometimes you can play it in front of them if they are running and have space in front of them

Success Criteria:

A. Players are working together in groups of 3 to connect passes while avoiding defenders/opposition

Scrimmage 7v7 (20 mins)

Scrimmage 7v7.

The main focus will still be on improving the technical application of passing and receiving in a game setting. We will also need to encourage movement to get open.

Coaching Points:

• What surface of your foot helps you play the most accurate pass? Inside
• How do you get open for a teammate? Move to a space where there is no defender between you and the ball
• How do you find open teammates? Dribbling with head up to and looking at both teammates and where the defenders are positioned
• How do you want to receive the ball? Inside of foot going in the direction you want to move next
• Where can you go to receive the ball from your teammate? In a space where there are no defenders between you and the ball
• Do you always have to play the ball directly to where your teammate is standing? No, you can play it in front of your teammate if they are running and have space in front of tem