Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Switching play

3v0 into 3v1

Organization:

- As many grids as needed, 5x5 yard grids or adjusted as needed

- 3v0 in each grid, can then progress into 3v1 or 4v1

Instructions:

- Players are working on passing, receiving, and moving in the space.

- The first attacker always needs support to their left and right, so movement off the ball will come from the player who is "inactive" for the passing interaction.

- Allow for players to understand who is moving, why they are moving, and begin to layer in pressure (in the form of passing or time constraints)

Coaching Points:

- Receiving across our body, opening up our hips to play both ways. HOW? WHY?

- Strong weight of pass, targeting our teammates backfoot to allow them to open up and play either way. WHY? HOW?

- Communication off the ball, verbal and nonverbal to instruct the passer or receiver.

- Movement off of the ball to support the first attacker. WHERE? WHY?

- What kind of touch are we taking to receive and set up our next pass?

- How can we disguise our next pass?

- Defensive principles for the player in the middle.

- Progress into a 3v1 or 4v1 depending on numbers.

- Can allow for one defender to remain in the middle and tally score for 90 seconds, or actively switch every time the defender wins possession and is able to dribble out of the grid successfully.

4v4 with wide channels

Organization: Players are divided into 3 teams of 4. The field has 3 goals on either end (2 corner, 1 central) and two "channels" marked with cones on the halfline (next to the sideline)

Instructions: Players play a 4v4 SSG with two corner goals and one central goal. To score, the ball must be dribbled or passed through both side gates (red cones) before shooting. With about 12 players total, players rotate between attacking (receiving the ball first), defending (serving the ball), and resting.

Coaching Points:

-How do we quickly (efficiently) get the ball from one sideline to the other?

-Scanning as we recieve the ball

-Body position as we recieve the ball

-Fullbacks supporting the striker with forward runs

Wide SSG

Organization:

-Half-field+ SSG (wider than it is long) with 2 sizable goals in either corner

-5v5/6v6 (+neutrals if numbers are odd)

Instructions:

SSG with most game rules (but no cornerkicks)

Coaching Points:

How do we engage fullbacks (and get numbers) in our attack?

How can we unbalance a defence by switching?