Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Circulation Game Master

Circulation Game (30 mins)

Organization / Field Setup:

• Play 4v4+3 on a 45 L x 35 W, 8v8+3 on a 55 L x 45 W
  
  
• Clearly mark out two 5-7 yd wide channels on either side and two 5-7 yd end-zones on opposite end-lines
  
  
• Use a marker to clearly define the half-line of the playing area

Duration [No. of Intervals x Interval Duration (Rest)]:

• 30' [5 x 4' (2')]

Exercise Rules:

• Use the end-zone to enforce the offside rule. To start the game the coach calls Blue or Red. The two depth players of the color called quickly drop into their safe-zone to receive a back pass from the coach. The back pass is the cue to switch the point of attack to the weak-side. Any time a back pass is played into the safe-zone, the team in possession should quickly switch the point of attack. Once the switch is executed, team in possession now aims to play forward and score. However the two players in the safe-zone cannot pass to the strong-side Wide neutral player to encourage breaking lines centrally during the initial build-up
  • When the defending team wins possession they should quickly occupy the safe-zone and counter-attack or secure possession with a back pass into their safe-zone
  • When the ball leaves play or a goal is scored on a mini-goal, the coach plays into the safe-zone of the appropriate team to start the next repetition
    
    
• Four ways to score. The Team that scores all four ways first wins the round
  • Dribble into the opponent's end-zone
  • Pass into the opponent's end-zone (watch for offside)
  • Depth player dribble penetrates from their safe-zone
  • Score on both of the two mini-goals
    ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO SCORE (come up with your own too):
  • Safe-zone player passes across the half-line (vertical or diagonal) into the 9 or 10 or N (Receive in half turn to play forward again or Up-Back-Through)
  • Safe-zone player switches point of attack directly to the weak-side wide player
    
    
• The defending team cannot apply pressure in the attacking team's safe-zone
  DEFENSIVE PRESSING PROGRESSIONS:
  1. Press the attacking team's safe-zone only after two passes    
  2. Once the weak-side player receives with their first touch 
  3. No safe-zone (what are the benefits of depth when attacking or transitioning to attack?)

Coaching Details:

• Use different attacking and defending systems/tactics
  
  
• Constrain the counter attack to a pass limit, or a time limit, or from a certain area of the field, or to securing possession only with a back pass into the safe-zone. This will increase the repetition of the techniques and tactics of circulation to score
  
  
• When the weak-side wide player receives can they take their first touch inside or forward to create a rotation

Likely Error(s):

• Defending team not recovering to defend their end-zone once the ball is passed or dribbled into their end-zone to prevent the goal on the mini-goal
  
  
• Attacking team not utilizing their safe-zone and turning the ball over too often, especially during the attacking transition
  
  
• Attacking not occupying their safe-zone when in possession

Planned interactions with players (when):

• Coach in the flow
  
  
• During the break between sets

Staff Roles and Responsibilities: