Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Week 5 - Cycle 2 - Receiving the Ball with Control Into Space

Peninsula Power FC

Miguel Ramirez

Profile Summary

Name:	Miguel Ramirez
City:	Brisbane
Country:	Australia
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

Interface Language

Share this Session

Link Session

Build 3D sessions in seconds

Access to 1000’s of sessions

Professionalise and modernise your coaching

Used by the world’s best coaches

US$

per year

Join today

Description

Session Objective:

The objective of this session is to develop U11 players’ ability to receive the ball with proper control, anticipate and move into space, protect the ball under pressure, and make quick decisions. This will be achieved through a series of exercises that blend technical proficiency with game-awareness decision-making. Players will work on refining their first touch, using both feet, scanning the field for options, and understanding when to shield the ball or advance into space. The session will encourage players to combine individual skills with intelligent movement, ultimately fostering their confidence in high-pressure, game-like situations.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Set Up

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

Set Up

Set-Up:

Cones for marking the boundaries of training areas, goals, and positions.
Balls placed strategically in the training area for drills.
Bibs to distinguish between teams during exercises and small-sided games.

Objective:

Design a session for U11 players focusing on:

Receiving the ball with control
Receiving into space
Protecting the ball
Movement after receiving the ball

This will be achieved through exercises that combine technical skills with decision-making

Coaching Points:

First Touch: Focus on players' ability to receive the ball with a soft and controlled first touch.
Scanning the Field: Encourage players to always scan the field before receiving the ball so they are aware of the space around them and can make informed decisions.
Use of Both Feet: Emphasize the importance of using both feet when receiving and passing to increase versatility.
Move into Space: Once players receive the ball, encourage them to quickly move into space, keeping their heads up and looking to progress the play.
Protection of the Ball: Encourage players to shield the ball when under pressure, using their body to protect it and create space for themselves.
Engagement: Keep the environment fun, challenging, and game-like to maintain player engagement and motivation.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Trio Pass (L + R Foot)

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

Trio Pass (L + R Foot) (15 mins)

Set Up:

5 Cones

2 x Balls

3 Players

Timings: 10 minutes

Organisation:

Trio Passing

Set up three cones - Player 1 starting location
Set up two cones 5m apart from player 1.
Player 2 and Player 3 Pass the Ball to Player 1 (alternative as Player 1 calls for the Ball)
Player 1 Runs around markers to receive the Ball from Player 2 or 3
Player 1 Controls ball and passes Ball with L foot and resets back to receive the Ball with R foot
Player 1 aim to practice passing with both feet to teammates

Focus on:

Passing with both left and right foot.
First touch control.
Passing to the correct foot.
Body shape when receiving the ball
Players providing service, to ensure the pass is firm and accuracy to Player 1's Back foot

Coaching Points:

-Focus on accuracy, especially with the weaker foot.

-Emphasize the importance of controlling the ball with the first touch and notrushing the passes.

-Keep passes sharp.

Progressions:

Player 2 and Player 3 Move Markers to 15m away from Player 1

Work on long firm passing with continuation in keeping accuracy and passes sharp.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Receive the ball To Move

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

Receive the ball To Move (20 mins)

Set Up:

6 Poles

2 x Small Goals

12 Players

Timings: 8min to 10 Min Max

Organisation:

Player 1 passes the ball to Player 2 using their left foot OR right Foot (pending on starting grid)
Player 1 at pace runs around Poles. Aim to get to the last Pole as fast as possible and ready to Receive a pass from Player 2.
Player 2 Moves towards the ball as soon as Player 1 activates pass
Player 2 must take a first touch in a forward and passes the ball to Player 1 using their Left foot.
Player 1 takes a first touch and passes the ball back to Player 2
Player 2 Complete by a firm Finish with inside of foot as a firm pass / Low shot.
Rotate in a continuous loop. (Player 1 rotates to Player 2 starting position and vice versa)

Coaching Points:

Alwaysemphasize proper technique, especially when using the weaker foot.
Encourage players to stay focused on their first touch and decision-making.
Make sure to adjust the difficulty level based on the players' skill levels.

GroupDiscussion (4/5 minutes)
-Reflect on the session: ask players what they felt went well and areas theywant to improve on.
-Provide feedback on passing technique and use of both feet.

Progressions:

Add an unopposed Defender to Press Player 1.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Activate Passing Movements

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

Activate Passing Movements (25 mins)

Set Up:

2 x Mannequin

2 x 20 x 20m Grid

4 x Cones Per Grid (8 Cones)

Timings: 10min (max)

Organisation:

8 x Blue Players
1 x Red Unopposed Defender in the Middle

Coaching Points:

Weight / direction of pass
Receiving skills
Uselimited touches
Move the ball quickly
Try to play in areas that allow you to see three corners of the pitch.
Look to play forward

Progressions:

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Activity -1 Rondo

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

Activity -1 Rondo (20 mins)

10/12 Players v 3 break out rondo
Reds must connect 10 passes in a row (1pt)
Blues try and win ball and exit the grid via a dribble (1pt)
15 x 15m grid, 1min rounds x 3, switch defenders each round.

Coaching Points:

Blue Players;

Press = Sprint
Directional Pressure
Work as a team to divert the player with the ball to the sideline

Red Players;

Forward facing
First touch forward
Find teammate who is facing forward
Look for a Cutout pass
Make the space Big by Switching play

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Receive Ball Into space at Pace

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

Learning Objectives

	Technical Angle of Approach, Body Positioning, Tackling (Technique, Timing)
	Tactical Shut Down, Slow Down, Sit Down, Show Down
	Physical Acceleration, Deceleration, Reaction, Strength, Balance
	Psychological Responsiveness, Composure, Attention to Detail
	Social Patience, Communication

Receive Ball Into space at Pace (20 mins)

Set Up

2 Playing Areas

4 x small goal on both ends

Timings:

- Rotate Player Roles Accordingly

- 4 x 3 Mins (2 Attacking / 2 Defending)

Organisation: Groups of 6 Players.

- This Opposed 1V1 Attacking Practice gives repetitions of Attacker Against a Forward-Facing Defender.

- Play Starts with a Pass from the Attacking Team and the defender can start his actions as the ball is travelling to the attacker

- The attacker attempts to beat the defender and score once he enters the attacking half.

- Defender upon regaining the ball has the same objectives and Counterattack and Score to keep Realism

Coaching Points:

- 1st Touch to Be Positive and Attack the Space at a fast Pace

- Dribbling Details (Skills, Speed, Direction) to Unbalance & Destabilize the Defender

- Protect / Shield/ Turn when necessary

- Score when opportunity Arises

Progressions:

- Create a Secondary Defender (Tracking back Defender)

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Skill Training

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

Skill Training (20 mins)

Organization:

Set up a 30x20 meter area with a 5-meter zone in the center for the defenders.

Players can be arranged as shown, or you can use 3 groups of 3 players.

Instructions:

The team in possession aims to complete a set number of passes (3 or 4) before playing the ball across the area to the waiting players on the opposite side.

Two defenders apply pressure to the ball within the box, while the remaining defenders stay in the central area, attempting to intercept any passes.

The attacking team earns 2 points for successfully playing the ball to a teammate in the wide area on the other side.

The attacking team earns 1 point for switching the ball through the central area.

The defending team switches roles when they win the ball. The team that loses possession is replaced by the defending team.

SOCHANGE IT:

Remove one defender to reduce the pressure on the team in possession, allowing for more time to find passes.

Coaching Points:

Look for opportunities to help your teammate by making runs or creating passing lanes.

Move the ball quickly across the field to create space and an opportunity to attack forward.

Be patient and wait for the right passing option if it's not available immediately.

Build 3D sessions in seconds

Access to 1000’s of sessions

Professionalise and modernise your coaching

Used by the world’s best coaches

US$

per year

Join today