Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Playing Through Thirds (Start Time: 2021-11-29 19:00:00)

Technical (30 mins)

Organisation

• 8 cones
• 4 markers
• 6 balls
• 35m x 15m each area

The players follow their pass and rotate around to the left.

Change the practice for the players to rotate around to the right after 3 minutes.

Instructions

• The ball starts with the players at the end
• Player 1 passes to the player who is positioned on the first cone (player 2)
• Player 2 receives the ball and sets it back to player 1
• Player 1 then passes to the player on the second cone on the left (player 3)
• Player 3 then passes back to player 2
• Player 2 then passes forward to the Target player at the end.

The players follow their pass and rotate around to the left.

Change the practice for the players to rotate around to the right after 3 minutes.

• Players need to look to have good body shape throughout the practice with their hips in line with the ball to receive the pass on the angle.
• To improve forward play, attackers should look to support around the ball when passing through the lines, offering to support whilst also meeting the ball to improve passing. Players also need to keep game realistic movements in mind.
  
• Players need to recognize when to change the rhythm of passes depending on the position of the field. Slower passes simulate drawing out the opposition to then speeding up as the spaces become smaller and closer to the attacking goal.
  

Progressions

• Increase distance between passes
• Player making short pass, apply passive pressure after pass

Final Game (20 mins)

Session Organisation:

• 2 goals
• 5 bibs
• 5 balls (1 in play)
• 10 markers - split pitch into thirds

Coaching Points:

• 7v7
• Gk start with ball - no corners
• 1 pass minimum in each third
• Only 2 defenders allowed in defending third

Progression:

• Remove pass restriction - change for must bounce ball into striker
• 1 touch finish
• 2/3 touch play
• Create a point scoring system - 1pt per third transitioned into / 2pt shot on goal / 3pt goal.