Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): BP - Controlled Possession in the Middle third - Midfield Box

Passing Practice (15 mins)

Organisation:

- Setup as shown in the diagram

- Player 1 passes to player 2, player 2 passes to player 3, player 3 dribbles forward then passes to player 4, player 4 then passes to player 5, player 5 passes to player 6

- Red arrow indicates movement off the cone to receive and play pass

- Sequence then repeats from player 6 in the opposite direction

- Each set runs for four blocks of 90 sec, with 60 sec recovery, then players rotate

Coaching Points:

 

- Body shape to receive

- Play off limited touches

- Weight of pass 

Progression:

- Nil progressions



Game Animation (20 mins)

Organisation:

- Set up as shown in the diagram, 11v11 conditioned game

- Yellow team are in a 4123 formation and Blues are in a 4231 formation

- Offside rule applies at in the shaded area (25m)

- All other game rules apply apart from whichever team scores the ball always begins with Yellow

- Yellow team earns 1 goal for scoring a normal goal, if they connect two passes inside the box it is 3 goals, connect 3 pass sequence inside the box it is a bonus goal

- Blue team earns 1 goal for scoring a normal goal, if they score within 8 seconds of recovering the ball they earn 3 goals

Coaching Points:

- Positioning, the 7, 9 and 11 of Yellows need to engage the back four of the opposite team to create depth and width for the midfield 

- Full backs of Yellow will initially stay connected to the centre backs and the midfield to drag opponents away and create space for the midfield

- 6, 8 and 10 of Yellow need to make sure there is balance in the midfield box

- When the ball is progressed to one side the opposite Full back and Winger of Yellow need to coordinate occupying one position of width and one position inside the box, eg if the the bottom quadrant of the box is free then the full back should occupy this and the Winger should provide the width, where if the reverse happens then the opposite applies.

- Timing of movement in the box is key, players must coordinate their actions with the passer and their teammates around them

- Pass to attract the opponent out of their shape and invite pressure so as to play through or around to expose the opposite side

-  When Yellow regains possession after losing it look to secure possession with first two or three passess to allow team to reestablish correct positioning in and around the box

- Blue team look to lock play to one side and apply pressure, 9 of Blue team can assist Blue midfielders in the box only after a ball is played into the area

- Blue team look to create quick counter attacks once they have won the ball

Progressions:

- Nil porgressions