Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Final Third - In Possession

Specific10 mins

Organization / Area Size: 1/2 Pitch, Tapered.

Coached Team (Blue): CDM(6) FB’s x 2 (2 & 3) – CM (8) – ST’s x 2 (9 & 10) – WING (7 & 11)

Red Team Formation: 4 – 4 – 2

Removed:GK & Both Centre Backs

Opposition Team (Red): CB’sx 2 (4 & 5) - FB’s x 2 (2 & 3) – CDM (6) - CM (8)

Red Team Formation: 4 – 4 – 2

Removed:Both Strikers and Both Wingers

SESSION ORGANISATION

Start Point – Server (Yellow)

Blue Target – Big Goal

Red Target – Two Mini Goals

Block 1: Focus - Blue team lookto create goal scoring opportunities by using width/ overlaps. Play starts withBlue 6 playing out to the full backs which have pushed up (Inside taperedareas). The full back will need to take a good, positive touch FORWARD,receiving the ball on their back foot and looking to play to the winger asquickly as possible. Cross to Finish. If the space isn’t there, quick switchesof play are needed to exploit the space on the other side of the pitch - Defencewill be Passive for the first 2 minutes.

1.       Block 1 Problem: Creating overlappingopportunities within a Compact Defence

Block 2: Focus - Blue team lookto create goal scoring opportunities by using width but this time utilising thefull back (FB) to create the crosses (by dropping down) and crossing to theback post for the number 8. The FB will also have the option to play inside tothe closest winger, essentially creating a through ball for the winger tocross. Play again starts with Blue 6 playing out to the full backs which havepushed up (Inside tapered areas). The full back will need to take a good,positive touch FORWARD, receiving the ball on their back foot and looking toplay to the winger as quickly as possible.

2.       Block 2 Problem: Compact Defence - Creatingspace for a through ball or for a cross for the number 8.

Coached (Blue) Team Challenges - To move the ball quickly tocreate overloads and put crosses into the box. If ball isn’t being movedquickly enough a touch limit will be needed e.g., 2 touches.

Opposition (Red) Team Challenges – Can they stay compact andstop the crossing opportunities. If they win the ball back, they will have 15seconds to score into one of the mini goals.

What ifs?

·       What if the defender allows space to cross theball before the FB has a chance to overlap?

a.       Cross the ball (Realism)

·       What if an attacking player becomes open becauseof the movement by others to create the overloads?

a.       Play the ball to the attacking player in space(Realism)