Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Building out the Back in a 3-4-2-1

Technical Passing Warm Up - Pattern 1 (10 mins)

Set Up: Use a 20*20 area. 

Players are positioned on each corner of the grid with 2 additional players in the middle as seen in the diagram. The players then go through the following unopposed sequence.

1. The first pass is a square pass along the side of the grid

2. The second player plays the ball to one of the players in the middle. The players that play the first and second passes will replace the players in the middle when they rotate out

3. The players in the middle will combine 

4. After the combination in the middle they will play out to one of the corners on the opposite side of the grid. The two players from the middle will rotate out of the middle towards the side that we played out to 

5. The two players along the side connect a square pass to restart the pattern from the opposite side. 

Coaching Points:

• PASS DETAIL - 
  • Players are expected to complete every pass with the correct weight and accuracy.
  • They should also recognise what foot they want to pass to – back or front foot – depending on the situation.
  • As the practice progresses, players will have to pass into space in front of the receiving player.

• MOVEMENT TO RECEIVE - The coach should encourage the players to make short, sharp movement before they receive, away from the markers. This replicates realistic match movements.
• RECEIVING WITH AN OPEN BODY - Players are expected to receive with an open body shape, to give them a chance to set off one touch or play forward on their second touch.
• CONTROLLED LAYOFFS - When setting the ball, players should understand the importance of using a soft set. This puts the oncoming player in a position where they can play the next pass first time.

Pattern 3 (10 mins)

Set Up: Use a 20*20 area. 

Players are positioned on each corner of the grid with 2 additional players in the middle as seen in the diagram. The players then go through the following unopposed sequence.

1. The first pass is a square pass along the side of the grid 

2. The second player plays the ball to one of the players in the middle.

3&4. Central players combine quickly with a give and go lay off (initial ball played around the corner)

5. Play out to one of the corners on the opposite side of the grid 

6. Players on the opposite side connect a square pass then repeat the pattern 

Players that play into the middle replace the two players in the middle while the players in the middle join the side to which they play out. 

Coaching Points:

• PASS DETAIL - 
  • Players are expected to complete every pass with the correct weight and accuracy.
  • They should also recognise what foot they want to pass to – back or front foot – depending on the situation.
  • As the practice progresses, players will have to pass into space in front of the receiving player.

• MOVEMENT TO RECEIVE - The coach should encourage the players to make short, sharp movement before they receive, away from the markers. This replicates realistic match movements.
• RECEIVING WITH AN OPEN BODY - Players are expected to receive with an open body shape, to give them a chance to set off one touch or play forward on their second touch.
• CONTROLLED LAYOFFS - When setting the ball, players should understand the importance of using a soft set. This puts the oncoming player in a position where they can play the next pass first time.

8v6 to mini-goals (20 mins)

Set Up:

Use an area approximately half the pitch. Play 8v6 with the team of 8 scoring in the three mini-goals in a 3-4 formation from the 3-4-2-1 formation. Place the mini-goals as shown in the diagram with the two on the side either half space with the third mini-goal in the middle but 5-10 yards higher than the other two goals. 

Coaching Points: