Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Possession with Purpose - Final Third

5 v 2 (15 mins)

Organisation

4 - 10yds x 10yds grids as shown.

Balls on outside of grid ready for use.

How to Play

Grey team plays 5 v 2 in 1 grid,

Red team plays 5 v 2 in grid diagonally across from Grey team.

First pass is always free.

Teams score a goal by completing 10 consecutive passes.

First team to score 5 goals wins.

Defenders can be changed up at any time.

Defenders can keep the ball on gaining possession.

First pass is alway free for attacking team when ball exits the grid.

Coaching Points:

1.Quality and purpose of first touch

2.Quality and speed of pass

3.Deception of pass

4.Movement off the ball

5.Awareness before receiving the ball

6.Speed of play

Overloads (20 mins)

Organisation

40yds long x 50yds wide with a half-way line and goals at either end.

Two equal teams, with 2 GK's. 3 v 2 in defensive zone, 2 v 2 in attacking zone.

Additional players behind their goal,

1 of whom acts as a server.

How to Play

The Red team GK starts with ball in hands and plays in to one of the 3 team-mates in defensive zone, 2 Grey players defend and can score if they win possession.

Red players combine to advance ball (Dribble or Pass) into attacking zone where 1 player can join in to create a 3 v 2 to score on goal.

When goal is scored or possession is lost 1 of the attacking players leaves the attacking zone and the defending team gains a player, which now creates a 3 v 2 going in the opposite direction.

Re-start from the GK when a goal is scored or ball goes out of play.

Progressions:

1. Ball must be passed in to the attacking zone.

2. Someone other than passer must join in to create 3 v 2 in the attacking zone.

Coaching Points

1.Create width and depth

2.Quality and speed of pass

3.Deception of pass

4.Movement off the ball

5.Awareness

6.Can the ball be played early in to striker in attacking zone

7.Give support early and quickly to create overloads in the attacking zone

8 v 8 Game (25 mins)

Organisation

Pitch is 70yds long x 50yds wide with a half-way line and goals at either end.

Two equal teams, with 2 Goalkeepers.

Balls distributed beside goals to keep the game flowing when balls go out of play.

How to Play

Play 8 v 8 with offside in effect.

Re-start from the GK when a goal is scored or ball goes out of play.

Coaching Points

1. Stay switched on - immediate transition from defending to attacking.

2. Create width and depth.

3. Quality and speed of pass.

4. Movement off the ball.

5. Awareness.

6. Can the ball be played early in to striker in attacking zone.

7. Give support early and quickly to create overloads in the attacking zone .