Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Penetrate or Possess by dribbling

Warm Up Ball Mastery

Organization: Players in pairs in an area. Players play 1v1 against eachother.

Instructions: Players perform the moves relevant to the following technical activity, for example here the most suitable moves are shoulder feint, scissor etc.

Warm up Activator

Organization: 1 or 2 grids.

Instructions: 1st two players make eye contact, they then put their hands up to initiate game. On 2nd players hand going up, both players try to get across the box to the other side. Defender must tag them. Defender can not leave orange box. If player cant make it across without getting tagged, he should consider whether to 'Xavi' turn and come back rather than risk being caught (here are the tactics/decision making).

Each player has only 3 seconds from the start to get across.

Change Defender every 60 seconds or so.

Points.

Player gets across = 1 point

Player gets caught = - 1 point

Defender tags a player = 1 point

Defender tags both players = 3 points

Coaching Points:

1) Recognising the visual cues;

Space, Back Turned, Dealing with other attacker, Not looking, Slow to react etc.

2) Possess v Penetrate (when to sprint through v when to Xavi Turn).

Technical

Organization: 1 or 2 grids. Every player has a ball. Defender in zone in different colour pinnie.

Instructions: 1st two players make eye contact, they then put their hands up to initiate game. On 2nd players hand going up they are live and must try to get through the box without being tackled. Defender can not leave orange box. If player cant make it across without getting tackled, he should consider whether to 'Xavi' turn and come back or look to go again if the space opens up, rather than risk being caught (here are the tactics/decision making).

Each player has only 3-4 seconds from the start to get across.

Change Defender every 60 seconds or so.

Even if player makes Xavi turn, he then needs to go around the outside to join the opposite line to maintain even numbers.

Players now go to goal.

2 more defenders are now added to finish that can only move side to side between the start lines.

Coaching Points:

1) Possess v Penetrate (when to Ronaldo v when to Xavi Turn) by recognising the visual cues;

Space, Back Turned, Dealing with other attacker, Not looking, body shape, Distance, Slow to react, Lots of space etc.

2) Messi v Ronaldo dribble (when to do either, eg, Ronaldo with space, Messi when more control needed, ie when preparing to Xavi Turn or defender is close).

3) Big first touch to get going (take the dead ground in front of you, do not allow defender to take it otherwise defender will deal with 1st attacker, turn and deal with 2nd attacker).

4) Technique and speed of Xavi Turn.

5) Now the attacker must consider his next option (the shot and GK position) once he gets past the defender, and set himself for a good finish.