Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Improve Teams Ability to Attack from Wide Areas (1-4-4-2 Diamond)

Warm Up (25 mins)

Organization: Half Field, Gk and Mannequins as shown, #6,7,8,9,10,11 involved, Coach distributes balls. Go through pattern options and then allow for more creative freedom. Shaded box can be set up as a visual for MF Shape

Intensity: Low

Intervals: 5 Activity: 4min30sec Recovery: 30sec

Pattern Play: Options

a.) 6-8-7 drive at defender and serve a cross (1v1 situation)

b.) 6-10-8-7 first time cross behind retreating back line

c.) 6-7-9-10-9 forward give and go

d.) 6-7-2 cross (7 drives inside allowing 2 to overlap into the vacant space)

e.) 6-7-10-2-8 for a shot (ball is cut back to the edge of the box)

SSA 6v6+GK (20 mins)

Organization: Half Field, GK, 4 Def, 2 Def MF. Offsides in effect. 2 Counter Targets for defensive team to play once ball is won. Def team has 5 total touches to find target. Coach will start by playing #6 to start activity but after some time will vary starting point as a means to bring out diff movement/reactions/decisions. Additionally, no corner kicks or throw ins. Ball starts with coach each time.

Intensity: Med

Intervals: 5 Activity: 3min30sec Recovery: 30sec

Coaching Points:

Movement- From the diamond midfield are we able to stretch the field with width and depth once in possession? Can we look to interchange our positions through vertical/horizontal mobility and recognize when we need to fill someone elses? Can we use deception and changes of speed? As the ball travels wide what is our reaction/options/roles?

Specific Roles:

#6 support in behind and offer an outlet ball as well as looking to switch play. Must offer an element of vertical passing as well as horizontal.

#7/11 Stretch the field wide and look to affect either the fullback or MF with dribbling/movement. Be creative in 1v1 and look to also use combo play to get in behind. Vary the type of service based on visual cues (cut back, early cross, lofted/driven cross, shot, pass into forward, recycle)

#8 Look to work on the shoulder of MF and pull them apart creating space for self/others. Be a willing runner beyond Def. and into the box. Leave the channels for wide players and forwards. Must be a willing shooter from distance. Combo play/ability is key component.

#9/10 Stretch the field vertically. Work together and don't get caught flat or in same space. Vital to cover near/far post as crosses come into the box. Dynamic movement to lose marker. Finishing ability with variance of surfaces. Physicality and technical ability to hold the ball up under pressure. Willing to run into the channels to pull apart back line. Run off the shoulder/blindside of Def.

ESSA 8v7+GK (25 mins)

Organization: 2/3 Field. Offisdes in effect. 2 counter goals to be scored in. 5 total defensive touches. Def team have added another MF while attacking team have gained #2,3. No corner kicks but there are now throw ins as a means to offer a diff starting point and force decision making and structural/technical adjustments.

Intensity: High

Intervals: 2 Activity: 8min Recovery: 2min

Coaching Points:

As before but now with new dimensions with the inclusion of the two fullbacks.

Relationship between #7/2 and #11/3. Sharing of space by means of combination play as well as recognition of how to enter/vacate space in order to affect/pull defenders. Fullbacks must recognize visual cues on how to most effectively penetrate the defensive block by means of dribble/pass/shot/cross and possess the technical ability to carry out such tasks. Physical capability to move up and down line is vital.

Questions: If fullback pulls out CD by beating opposition fullback then where is danger area? What if he pulls MF?