Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): (YDP) Counter-attacking from deep 1

(YDP) Counter-attacking from deep 1

Practice organisation

• Area 60x40yds, with pitch divided into halves, with

goals 6yds behind each end of area, as illustrated.

• 16 players (incl. 2GK’s), 1 ball.

• Practice starts with: GK rolls ball-out to Attacking team which has a

6v3 numerical advantage in itsown half.

• In attacking half, there are 2A’s v 3D’s.

• A’s, in possession pass-out from back.

• 4A’s advance into opponents half to make 6v3 in attacking half.

• Half way serves as off-side line, with A’s only able to cross into

attacking half once ball has been played into space.

• Objective of game is to move advancing A’s rapidly into D’s half,

bringing A’s into game & get early strikes on goal.

• Play resumes in opposite direction from GK, using same

playing numbers.

• One team has a period of attacking (to & from both ends), before

players re-organise to change roles (& understanding).

Detail

• Challenge 1: Try to use one touch opportunities to change the

tempo of attacks.

• Challenge 2: Try to score using 4 passes.

• Coach needs to connect questions to individual player’s needs,

based on technical execution & decision-making demands.

• Timing, distance & angles of support as play develops.

• Noticing opportunity to feed runner into attacking half & supply

with a variety of measured, accurate passes.

• Ability of receiving player to control ball when moving at speed.

• Early support for ball receiver to produce strike at goal.

• Simple progressions for this practice are:

- Extra D recovers into defending half.

- Allow/encourage realistic defending in challenge areas.

Key coaching points

• Other challenges for players include:

- Determine length of time to retain possession before releasing first

breaking A (with supporting runners) into D’s half.

- Timing runs from MF areas.

- Angle of runs & passes into opponents half, including when &

where to release forward pass.

- A’s timing their movement to link-in with advancing

support players.

- Changing tempo of attacks.

U12 – The player should be able to complete the Learning outcomes in 4v4 functional practices.

U13 – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes during under loaded functional practices

U14 – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes during under loaded functional practice and SSG

U15/16 – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes during under loaded functional practices and 11 v 11 games.