Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U7/U9 - Attacking and Defending

Set up

Set up:

Set up a 30 x 20 box as shown on the 7 vs 7 pitch, on the edge of the 16 yard box (width also 16 yard box) to the half way line. 

For technical 2, coach adds a smaller area using spot markers, specifically 10 paces in from each corner. For skill practice, pick up the spot marks, and now split the area into two horizontally, and add four goals to make two pitches. For the small sided game, remove the half line, remove two goals to make a 2 vs 2 pitch. 

Equipment needed:

12 balls

cones

spot markers

4 x 1 colour bibs

4 x 2 colour bibs 

4 mini goals (or 8 long cones in unavailable)

Technical 2 - 15 minutes

To start:

Add two defenders into the middle zone, now players have to dribble through the middle zone and beat the defender in a 1 vs 1.  

Conditions: 

- Players must dribble through the square!

- Only the defender facing the initial target can tackle the target, defenders cannot work together. Defenders must stay inside the box, and the dribblers have to dribble through the box.

Coaching points

When might we change direction? (close to the defender)

What body movements or feints can we execute to change direction?

When might you change your speed (slow-fast, fast-slow) to beat the defender? 

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions):

Progression: Now, the defenders can work together to tackle the dribblers. 

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Target: Every time a player gets through the box, they win a point.

Target 2 (progression) - Players still gain a point if they can dribble through the box successfully, but if they get tackled or loose the ball, they loose a point.

Challenge 1: Which player can get the most points? 

Challenge 2: Can we dribble through the box successfully inside 10 seconds? (Regressions, 15).

Skill Practice 2

To start: Essentially the same practice as before but now 2 vs 2 in a bigger area. To start, a player from one team (for example green) brings the ball into play and the 2 vs 2 begins. After a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play, now the next pair of purple restarts by bringing the ball into play. 

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions): 

Progression - As before, the team that scores stays on the pitch, If the team concedes the, other pair enters play. For example, if green score, the first purple pair go off, and the new purple pair go on.  

(Maximum, 90 seconds - coach should rotate if no goal is Conceded). 

Coaching points:

Can the attacker change speed (slow-fast) after the change of direction to attack the space, or change speed (fast-slow) if an additional change of direction is needed? 

Small touches to keep the ball under control

Recognition of when and where to change direction and how to perform this action

Recognition of when to change speed based on the current speed they are going at. 

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Target - Players win a point for every goal scored. 

Target (progression) If a pair can stay on for the 90 second time limit, they win 3 points.

Challenge (After progression) - who can stay on the longest (or up to the 90 second mark)