Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U9 Possession Session

Opposed Activity (15 mins)

Set Up

1. 20x15 area.

2. 3 teams of 2.

3. Inside area it’s 2v2.

4. Outside each end of the grid, there is a neutral target player.

5. Target players can’t enter the grid. 2v2 players can’t leave it.

Instructions

1. One of the players in the area start with the ball.

2. The player gets a point each time he/she gets the ball into a target player.

3. He/she can play into the same target with consecutive passes, but only gets a point for the first one.

4. If the opponent wins the ball, that player assumes the attack.

5. Swap target players and 2v2 players every few minutes.

Progression

1. Target players are limited to two touches.

2. Target players can play to the ball to the other target player with one touch.

Coaching Points

1. Weight and accuracy of pass.

2. Angles of support - left, right, split.

3. Quality first touch.

4. Receiving on back foot.

Technical Activity (10 mins)

Set Up

1. 10x10 area.

2. 4 players. 3 players work on the sides of the area. 1 player works the inside.

Instructions

1. Play begins with Player 1 passing to Player 2 in the center.

2. After passing the ball, Player 1 must quickly run to the open cone.

3. Upon receiving the ball, Player 2 has to identify the free player and pass the ball to him/her.

4. After releasing the ball, Player 2 receives a pass from Player 4.

5. The practice is continued in this manner. The center player is always looking to receive the ball and pass to the open player. The outside player is always looking to pass and move to the open cone.

Progression

1. Add a second central player to increase the pace of the practice.

Coaching points

1. Quality first touch.

2. Accuracy and weight of the pass.

3. Disguising the pass.

4. Receiving on the half turn.

Small-Sided Game (15 mins)

Set Up

1. 15x15 area for U6-U12, 20x20 area for U13+

2. 3v3 inside the area w/Magic Man if needed.

3. 4 neutral players on the outside.

Instructions

1. Neutral players start the activity and play for the team in possession.

2. At first, neutral players are not pressured and limited to two touches.

3. Every 5 passes equal a goal.

4. Rotate players to keep intensity up.

Progressions

1. Neutral players can be pressured.

2. A neutral player can only pass to the players inside the area and to the neutral player opposite him/her, not adjacent.

3. 1-touch passing for all players.

Coaching Points

1. Weight and accuracy of pass.

2. Angles of support - left, right, split.

3. Body shape to receive.

4. Quality first touch.

5. Positive first touch into space.