Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U11-U13 Div 2/3: Switching the Point of Attack

4-Corner Possession

Set Up: Create four 5x5 boxes in each of the corners of your playing space. Use two teams and neutrals/magic players as needed (i.e. 6v6 +1).

Organization: Four corner possession activity. The team in possession of the ball look to score by timely attacking any of the squares in the corners of the playing area. Once a point is scored in one corner, the team continues to attack by looking to play through another corner. To start, players can dribble into the corner, pass to a teammate inside the corner, or make a through ball to a teammate running into the corner.

Progressions:

- No more dribbling into the corner. To score a point, you must pass to a teammate inside the corner.

Coaching Points:

1) Movement off the ball (timing - can you make a run into space)

2) Decision making (recognizing dead ends; switching point of attack)

3) Awareness of space and opposition (find the open player!).

Final Game

Set Up: Create even teams. Use the same field set up that was already used to play a regular match.

Organisation: In this match, use all normal game rules. For example, if the ball goes out on the sideline, players can perform a throw-in. Or if the ball goes out on the goal line, perform a goal-kick. This will allow the players opportunity to practice game-realistic scenarios (i.e. throw-ins, corner kicks, freekicks, goal kicks) in a practice match.

Play until the end of practice. Following the game, have a debrief with the players about what they worked on, what they enjoyed, etc!

Coaching Points:

- When is the moment to switch the play

- "Paint a picture of the field" - know where your teammates are before you receive the ball.