Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Combinations in tight areas to play through opponent

Warm-up (20 mins)

Warm-up (Tech Prep)

Method:

•  2 or 3 teams
• 1-2 balls per team
• Inside the 18 yard box, centre circle or a coned area

A) Players work with their own team only, 1 or 2 touch passes before cutting to the outside to touch the edge and come back in to receive from another playerB) Players work with the opposite colour, 1 or 2 touch passes to the opposite colour before cutting to touch the edge and come back in to receive from another playerC) Compete: Team A vs Team B, the first team with all players having touched all sides

Coaching Points:

• Change the movements to the outside of the box e.g. backpedals, side shuffles, carioca, hops, etc.
• Return to the pitch is with intensity to provide supporting options quickly

Combining (15 mins)

Method:

5v5 total

2v1 inside: red seeks to "switch play" and act as the connecting player

If white wins the ball, they should carry the ball out of the box, another red can enter and the 2v1 in the middle flips.

Coaching Points:

• Timing of runs into the box to connect the ball
• Explosive run out of the box when transitioning
• Outside players must use their body and movement to become available (there is a positive overload outside)
• Inside connecting player should scan to identify the open player on the outside

SSG with combinations (20 mins)

Method:

6v6 game with outside support

Outside support enters the play if they are used. Must leave the play if possession is lost. 

Coaching Points:

• Protect the ball on entry
• Use the numbers up, can you add more players to create an overload
• Can you quickly underlap (or overlap) when outside support enters