Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): (Foundation) Strikers Creating Space in a SSG

Strikers creating space in a SSG

Strikers creating space in a small-sided game

Practice organisation

-Area 40x20yds, divided into equal thirds and goals at each end, as illustrated

-13 players (incl. 2GK) arranged 6 Attackers v 5 Defenders (2v1, 2v2 and 2v2 in each third), as shown in diagram.

-Supply of balls with GK and A team.

-Practice starts with: A’s receive ball from GK in defensive third and look to move ball by either dribbling or passing into mid-third to progress play.

-One A from defensive third can move into mid-third to create 3v2.

-Possession is established in mid-third with A from final third able to link play and create 4v2.

-Ball is moved into final third with 2 A’s getting forward by either dribbling and/or passing to create 3v2 and strike at goal.

-If D’s gain possession: they become As and look to counter-attack quickly with any number of players.

Detail

-Area can be modified depending on age and ability of players

-Passing, moving and dribbling techniques

-Making early decisions and selection on retaining ball or combining with team mates.

-Reaction to loss of possession to combat counter-attack

-Making straight and diagonal forward runs into advanced positions and co-ordinate of movement with other team mates.

-Simple progression for this practice are:

-- A from mid0third can drop into defensive third to support early gain of possession

-- D’s can move one player up the field to nullify/dilute attacking overload in mid and final thirds

-- All D’s can advance one third to operate in 2 thirds of the field

Key Coaching Points

-Use of GK as 3rd player in A’s defending third to establish good early possession

-Timing of runs with ball and or passes into mid-third

-Mid-third players supporting angles and distances to receive services from back.

-Spreading-out by mid-third players to exploit overload and create passing channels for advanced A’s

-Movement and timing of front A into mid-third to supplement overload and link play.

-Movement and support play of advanced a to receive ball into final third.

-Working off advanced A when making attacking supporting runs from mid-third

-Quality and precisions of strikes on goal.

-Looking for rebounds/secondary chances from early strikes at goal.

-Seizing on and combating counter-attack opportunities on change of possession.

U9’s – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes under passive pressure.

U10’s – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes at pace, under passive pressure.

U11’s – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes with increased pace, under passive pressure.