Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Finishing (Start Time: 2025-02-12 17:00:00)

Warm up (10 mins)

Warm up- The shooting game 

Equipment- Football, bibs, cones

The aim of the game is to just shoot. Both teams have 4 players and are shooting into the opposite nets however they are not allowed across the red line but they do have one of their players in the opponents half. 

2v1 Final Third (10 mins)

Principle:

Understand when and how to combine, create and finish when attacking the final third.  

Organisation: 

Area-

Height - Center Circle until Goal Line

Width - Width of the 18 yard box

Number of Players-

Equipment - 

Balls on either side of goals

• Each team picks a goal to defend and splits its players either side of the goals.
• Red team attacks first, sending a player from either side of the goal (2 players) and attack the Blue goal 2v1.
• Blue sends a player out to defend them.
• The players may not enter the wide area beyond the edge of the 18 yard box.
• Once the play ends (goal, shot, save etc), the Blue defender clears the field, and the Blue team now attacks 2v1 with two fresh players.

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:  

• 1 point for every goal scored
• 2 points for a first time finish

Key Technical/Tactical Points: 

In possession:  

- Lack of width, use space beyond

- Use limited touches and move the ball quickly

- Speed of the attack

- Final Pass

- First Time Finishing

Planned interventions-

whole group interventions just to pause play when needed but not often to show different ways of moving e.g. overlap, underlap

4 v 4 Final Third- SSG (15 mins)

Organisation of SSG Description: 

Pressuring In this half pitch practice, we focus on our attacking 4 players against a back 4. Our coach will play a ball into one of the front players, with their challenge to create effective angles to move defenders around. The back 4 must remain compact and look tore gain possession to finish in one of two mini goals as shown. Implement opportunities for defenders to recover during counterattacks, this may be after they have regained possession and look to score in mini goals. Create opportunities to defend the goal with high balls and crosses around the 6-yard box, encouraging goalkeeper and defenders to protect goal. 

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions):  

Progression: Defence must press attackers high up the field to develop a coordinated defensive squeeze.  

Regression: Remind the players the defending techniques and fundamentals during the Team Defence exercise. Start by kicking the ball out until they feel confident to win and posses the ball.

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Challenges:1.Are the players able to recognize when to push forward and put pressure on the attacking ball carrier?2.When is the correct time to press the attacking team and win possession higher up the field?3.Why is communication so important when holding a defensive line? 

Conditions: Count the times team defence recovers the ball.  

Targets: Ball wining - interceptions, aerial, tackles. 

Key Technical Points - 

Apply Pressure to the ball and the attacking player. Cover, have a backup defender ready to step in if the first defender is beaten. Maintain balance and flexibility to anticipate and nullify threats. Force Direction into overload areas Strategy around when to trigger press for the pressing unit defence must communicate and recognize when to apply pressure. Players must position themselves correctly to intercept passes. Maintain constant communication to work together to regain positions and focus. Stay compact sliding together as a unit and move as fast as the ball. Read the opponents moves to Anticipate and predict the opponent’s actions. Maintain defensive depth and recover positions quickly. Having Patience to assess the risks involved in challenging the ball.

Planned interventions-

whole group interventions just to pause play when needed but not often to show different ways of moving e.g. overlap, underlap as well as how to break the lines down the middle of the pitch