Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Creating Space

Tech

Session Objective: Creating Space

Organisation: Area size relevant to players - but this will probably be ok for pretty much all ages. On introduction of balls you will need to increase the middle channel to around 10m especially for the older players.

Players are organised into pairs with one player assigned as the runner and one the tagger. If you have an odd number; give him a different colour bib and he can work as an extra tagger, meaning the runners have to check for two taggers not one.

The middle channel is a safe non taggable zone where the runner can make movements to avoid tagger and if he is clever use other players as blocks.

The lead player attempts to run to either sideline without being tagged.

Leaders should look to evade taggers in the middle zone with quick foot movement, constant checks of their shoulders and accelerating and decelerating movemement sbefore accelerating away to reach one of the sidelines.

Awareness of tagger and consequently the timing of movements are the key.

Each group should work as leader for 3 mins. Progression can be the leader now has a ball at his feet and the exact same process is followed with the tagger with no ball chasing the dribbler with a ball.

Initially you will get no success - probably in the case of young players for a couple of sessions. But you will see progressions; your best player at any age will be able to do it.

Its game real even if there is no success.

KeyFactors: Movement, Awareness, change of direction

SSG

Session Objective: SSG with players aiming to create space

Organisation: A 4V4 Game on a 40x30 pitch, any extra players to become neutral on the outside of area.

Wide players only used to maintain possesion.

Key Factors: Players position to ball, Movement into space, Spread/stretch the pitch, Width/depth, Runs with/without the ball