Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Building through midfield using wide players

Warm Up/Technical - Unopposed Build Up Pattern 2 (5 mins)

Method:

• Split pitch in half and set up as above with normal back 4, 2 #6s, 2 #10s, #7, #11, and 2 #9s. Spare players can double up and switch each go. Place GK in goal if needed
• The left-sided players (CB, LB, #6, #10, #11, #9) will work as a unit, and the right-sided players (CB, RB, #6, #10, #7, #9) will work as a unit
• We will run 2 different unopposed build-ups. Both the left and right sides will work at the same time (Stagger goes if players get in each other's ways)

The centre-back carries the ball forward and plays the ball into the full-back.

At the same time, #7/11 needs to make a short move inside.

The full-back then plays a short diagonal pass into #7/11.

#7/11 then lays the ball off to #6.

#6 plays a first-time pass into #9.

#9 plays pass to #10

#10 plays ball in behind to #7/11

#9 attacks cross + tries to score

• Work on repeatable passing combinations which can be used in matches to get wingers in behind
• Give players ideas of passing combinations that can be used in opposed practices later in the session
• Work on quick short passing and movement and get players up to speed

Coaching Points:

• Open body shape when receiving and looking for the ball

• Scan the field to increase field of vision.

• Be on toes so that they can receive passes and move ball quickly

• Make sure passes are weighted correctly to give teammates chance to run onto passes

• Move toward teammates before receiving a pass to ensure shorter passes can be played throughout the sequence.

• Communicate to help teammates move the ball into the right spaces quickly.

Tactical 2 - 8v7+GK (30 mins)

Method:

• This is a progression from the last drill where we will attempt to build up wide vs defence and score, however now we are against more defenders, making this more difficult
• Play on half a pitch with a goal at one end
• Red team (attackers) play 3-2-3 formation with #6, 2 FBs, 2 CMs, #7, #9, #11 v blues (defenders) in a 1-4-3 formation
• Ball starts with red team who look to build up through either of the gates on the wing and then cross into the box and try to score
• Either a player must make a run through the gate to receive a through ball, or the ball must be passed or dribbled through the gate
• If defenders win ball back they can counter attack + play ball over halfway line for a point
• Play until goal is scored or blues over halfway
• In above example:
• #6 plays to CM who plays to FB who has made run who plays through ball into box
• Winger has stayed wide to attract FB over to him and create space in middle, winger makes run through gate onto through ball
• Winger crosses ball and #9 attacks penalty box while far side winger attacks back 

Objective:

• Implement learnings from previous 2 practices
• Use width to create chances
• Teach wingers importance of staying wide to create width and space centrally for through ball

Coaching Points:

• Opposition
• In Defence: Stay compact to make it hard to play through centrally, pressure ball carrier, press when ball goes out to wing, shift as a unit as the ball moves
• In Attack: When ball is won, look up and play forward quickly tover halfway line to take advantage of out of shape opposition

• Attackers
  
• In Attack: Move ball quickly to drag defenders out of shape, use combinations learned in previous 2 drills, be aware of teammates runs, winger come narrow to allow FB overlap or stay wide and create opportunity for underlap or space for through ball, use decoy runs to create space, when ball is being crossed far side winger attack back post, #9 attack penalty spot
• In Defence: Transition quickly to defend and regain shape, prevent forward play and allow time to get back into shape, press player who wins balls back to try regain possession immediately