Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): First Touch away from an opponent into space

Introduction, diagram 1

Set Up 20 x 30 playing area (Area size can be adjusted to suit the number and level of ability of players you are working with). Six 1m x 1m boxes spread around the playing area. One player in each box and eight players with a ball each spread out around the playing area as per diagram 1.

Rules 

Players with the ball are asked to dribble around the playing area and  pass the ball to a player in any of the boxes and follow their pass. When receiving a ball inside the box you take a touch outside of the box and find another player inside a box and repeat the process.

Progressions

1. Use a different part of the foot to take the ball out of the box (from last time)

2. As the ball is played into the box can you take the ball out  through a different way it came in (as per diagram 1).

3. Add two or more defenders, create a competition. How many players can the defenders tackle (and return the ball back to them) in a set time? How many passes can you make to a player in a box in a set time? Try and avoid going back to the same box you have just come from. If you do play back into the same box you lose two goals. Change defenders regular after a short time i.e. 45 seconds

4. If there is a free box any target player that is inside a box can move/run into it to receive the ball under control to help players that are on the ball and maybe under pressure from a defender (passing option).

5. Challenge the players to get the ball out of the box i.e. two touches or one touch.

Scoring options

1. One goal for every ball played in the box

2. One goal if the ball is taken out of the box under control

3. Two goals if the ball is taken out of the box form a different side it came in

4. Two goals if a defender intercepts the ball

5. If you are in a box waiting for a ball and move to another box to receive a pass that counts for 3 goals if you receive it and one if you are the passer

Learning outcomes

Communication - verbal and non-verbal  

Awareness of space/pressure - play with your head up  

Weight and accuracy of pass                                        

Using different surfaces of the foot   

Decision making - where to go when receiving the ball, how to support  

Ability to receive  - in tight areas, into space and away from pressure

Diagram 3

Set up

40 x 30 playing area (Area size can be adjusted to suit the number and level of ability of players you are working with or to make it easier or harder). 5v5 with two target players at each end (in a 3m x 3m target area and one spare 3m x 3m area). Flat markers to indicate halway line

Rules

The blue team receive a ball from one of the target players, and to score a goal they have to get the ball to either one of the target players at the opposite end of the playing area. The ball is then played to the opposite team who score by passing to a target player at the opposite end. If the ball is intercepted at any time i.e. by the blue team then they score by passing to any of the target players, play then continues as per rules. The target players can move into the empty target area to receive a ball at anytime

Progressions

1. If you intercept the ball and pass into any target player you can then receive it back (or one of your team-mates and continue to attack towards the opposite end.

2. Target players can pass to the other taget player at the same end

Scoring

1. One goal for every successful pass into a target area

2. Two goals if you receive the ball in your own half and every player including the player that receives the ball has two touches or less when getting the ball to a tagret player at the opposite end. NOTE To start this process the first player receiving the ball has to call out "Two Goals" when passing to the next player and so on untill the ball gets to a target player. If the ball is intercepted or a player does not call out "Two goals"you lose one goal which goes towards the opponents scoreline

Learning outcomes

Communication - verbal and non-verbal  

Awareness of space/pressure - play with your head up  

Weight and accuracy of pass                                        

Using different surfaces of the foot   

Decision making - where to go when receiving the ball, how to support  

Ability to receive  - in space and away from pressure

Intelligent movement off the ball

Game 2, diagram 5

Set up

6v6 plus GK's. Pitch size can be ajusted to suit the needs of the players

Rules

Blue team attack one end, white the other.

Scoring

1. One goal if scored as per normal football

2. Two goals if you receive the ball in your own half and every player including the player that receives the ball has two touches or less when getting the ball to a tagret player at the opposite end. NOTE To start this process the first player receiving the ball has to call out "Two Goals" when passing to the next player and so on untill the ball gets to a target player. If the ball is intercepted or a player does not call out "Two goals"you lose one goal which goes towards the opponents scoreline

Learning outcomes

Communication - verbal and non-verbal  

Awareness of space/pressure - play with your head up  

Weight and accuracy of pass                                        

Using different surfaces of the foot   

Decision making - where to go when receiving the ball, how to support  

Ability to receive  - in space and away from pressure

Intelligent movement off the ball