Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Return to Play - Non Contact/Contact Adaptable Counter Attack

Warm Up - Skills Circuit with a partner (20 mins)

Setup

• Each player has a ball, players organise themselves into  groups of two with one attacking layer and one defensive player. 

Practice

• 1 - Score a goal in-swinging with both feet. 2 -10 x dribble (5 with each foot) 3- Both players must hit the crossbar 4. Pass against the boards 5 times each on each board. 5- Scoop the ball in between the two goals, ball must stay in. 6- Footgolf - Ball must stop in the circle. 7. 10 keepy uppies with partner. ball must not touch the floor or your counter goes back to 0

Progression(s)

Coaching Points

Counter Drill 2 (10 mins)

Setup

• 8x8 yard squares marked with cones on each corner.

   

  Players in pairs on side line, 1 player (attacker) with ball & 1 player without the ball

  (defender). CONES 2M APART, A CONE FOR EACH PLAYER TO START ON

Practice

• Players must start 2m apart

   

  Defender cant move until the attacker touches the ball

  Attacker dribbles and tries to beat the defender to the end line

  Defender runs and races to the line but doesn’t tackle

  The coach should number the pairs 1, 2, 3. When coach calls the number that pair

  work

   

Progression(s)

attacker races defender to end line or back to the start line using 1v1 COD moves, depending on what the attacker chooses

Lengthen the area to make more physically challenging

Defender starts with the ball and passes to attacker before overlapping and racing

Full pressure after defender overlaps

Coaching Points

 Speed up opponent  

Defenders position helps determine what to do next and when to do it

Game Related (30 mins)

Setup

• 30x35yard area. A defender/shooting zone at each end. 
• Coach at side with balls 
• teams on opposite sides of the area.

Practice

• Coach signals, 2 players from each team have to run around the goals at their own side, both players must go round a different goal. Quickest team receives possession. One defender must defend inside shooting zone. other can press the ball. if attacking team shoot and don't score, teams switch roles and coach gives defending team the ball with a chance to score. shooting player must run back around his goal before he can defend again. SCORING IS A RUNNING TOTAL

Progression(s)

• 2v2 defend straight away
• 3v3 run around goals. 
• 3v3 defend straight away
• 1 touch finish or goal scored in 3 seconds is worth two points
• Play must go through the midfield zone

Coaching Points

• remind players of key components of counter attacking, safe touches, direct attacking, running with the ball. pass forward run forward. 

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