Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA C - SSG - Topic: Passing - Principle of Play: Breaking Lines (Attacking Principles)

UEFA C SSG Breaking Lines (Attacking Principles) (20 mins)

Objectives:

- Get into space to receive.

- Player movement towards the ball, and movement to space from supporting players - Question "Can they see my feet?"

- Angles of runs.

- Variation of passes.

- Break lines / Penetrate defensive lines.

- The game also incorporates elements of switching play. 

Conditions / Challenges: 

- This SSG is about retaining and progressing possession.

- Teams must attempt to switch play from corner to corner in order to gain points. 

- Every time a team successfully passes into a corner player, they are rewarded with 1 point. 

- The corner players initially start with unlimited touches before passing back to team in possession.

- 2 touch where possible for attacking players.

- Play at high tempo. 

- At the end of the time limit, the team who've scored the most points will remain in play while the losing team move to the corners. 

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions):

- Corner players are limited to 1 touch meaning the attacking team in possession need to show good movement and spacial awareness in order to retain possession. 

Coaching points:

Passing mechanics:

- Look at target

- Eye on the ball

- Angle of approach

- Non-kicking foot alongside ball in comfortable position

- Strike centre of the ball with inside / outside of foot

- Firm ankle

- Follow through towards target 

Control:

- On toes

- Eye on the ball

- Get in line with the ball

- Decide to present surface towards ball

- Relax on impact 

Turning:

- Eye on the ball

- Decision, change of direction

- Contact with surface or feint

- Head up

- Low centre of gravity

- Change of direction

- Acceleration 

Planned Interventions:

- Initial team meeting to explain practice

- Freeze - Pause practice where there may be common mistakes that need addressing as a group

- Individual - During / After each round as and when required if anything identified i.e passing technique, control