Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Possession and Passing Penetration

Warm Up and WAR

Set Up:

- Ball Mastery, ever player with a ball performing various skill moves

Aim:

- Players dribble into space, changing speeds and directions

- Players then partner off for the passing and moving and WAR game

- In the WAR game, players pass and move until the game starts on the signal from the coach (shout or raises hands). Player in possession looks to keep in for 10 seconds. Player w/o ball needs to win it. Person with the ball at the end earns a point. Play multiple rounds & change partners

Coaching Points:

- Finding space, dribbling with control

- Passing accuracy, first touch, closing down the space (WAR game)

Cond. Game

Set Up:

- 3 grids with the middle section being narrow

- 3 teams (different colors)

- 2 outside teams in poss. and 1 defending team

Aim:

- The 2 teams in possession look to keep the ball and transfer passes to each other

- Players must connect 1-2 (or more) passes before looking to transfer

- 2 defenders enter the zone to intercept and score

- Point given to the team that can pass across

Coaching Points:

- Movement off the ball to create passing lanes /angles

- Defensive pressure and cover

- Moments when to dribble vs. when to pass ?

Scrimmage

Set Up:

2 teams or 3 teams depending on the numbers

Aim:

- Normal Scrimmage w/ team scoring first getting to stay on the field (if playing w/ 3 teams)

- Team resting should observe to see which team is moving w/o the ball better or defending better

Coaching Points:

- Dribble penetration, Breaking lines with the pass

- Movement off the ball, Ball Movement (when to dribble vs. when to pass)

- Communication

- Defensive Pressure / Cover / Balance