Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): (YDP) Spreading play in a small-sided game

(YDP) Spreading play in a small-sided game

Practice organisation

• Area 60x40yds, divided into 3 channels of equal width marked the

length of pitch & appropriate size goals at each end, as illustrated.

• 16 players (incl. 2 GK’s), arranged 8v8, as shown in the diagram.

• Supply of balls by each goal.

• Off-side lines are marked with cones at the side of pitch.

• Practice starts with the ball being rolled-out by GK to the attacking team.

• The team in possession look to build play through good ball retention

& controlled possession, with the objective of scoring a goal.

• Defending team look to counter-attack on gaining possession.

• Open play continues until the ball goes dead, the practice then

recommences with initial set-up arrangements.

Detail

• Challenge: Try to use spreading-out into wide areas as an

opportunity to exploit space created in central areas to attack goal.

• Quick passing, to eliminate pressure.

• Drawing D’s to create weak side to switch play.

• Supporting play from behind to ensure defensive safety from

potential counter-attack & provide outlet passing option.

• Recognition of when to slow-down play to secure possession.

• Simple progressions for this practice are:

- Mark 5yd wide channels along each touch line that wingers/fullbacks

can attack through, unopposed.

- Switch play & early crossing into central areas with attackers

arriving quickly into space.

Key coaching points

• Stretch opponents from end-to-end & side-to-side.

• A’s determine whether to attack centrally or wide depending on

strength of defensive numbers.

• Team out of possession look to remain compact & cover 2 of

the 3 channels.

• A’s look to switch play when faced with defensive numbers & exploit

weak side (empty channel).

• Switching play is dependent on quick, accurate

& precise passing & awareness of space available.

• A’s on opposite side must remain aware of potential

to make forward runs to receive diagonal passes, whilst ensuring

defensive security (against a potential counter-attack).

U12 – The player should be able to complete the Learning outcomes in 4v4 functional practices.

U13 – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes during under loaded functional practices

U14 – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes during under loaded functional practice and SSG

U15/16 – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes during under loaded functional practices and 11 v 11 games.