Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): 1v1 - Break out of the Zone game

Break Out (20 mins)

Practice Objective:

• Practice centered on giving players a number of opportunities to be engaged in a 1v1 battle, within a game scenario. Players are locked in their zones and can only break out if they take on their opponent and beat them in a 1v1 duel.

Set Up

• Area 40m x 20m, divided as shown
• Flat discs to divide areas
• 2 x sets of bibs
• 2 mini goals
• Bag of balls

Practice Explanation:

• Set up players as shown - 8 of them paired up, 1 from each team plays in the scoring zone.
• Play always starts from the scoring zone. Players can pass the ball up through the zones, but they are locked in the zone. Players break out of the zone when they beat their defender in a 1v1 duel. Play is then an open game until a goal is scored or the ball goes out
• Players then return to their zone, which are then locked and the cycle starts again.
• Play for 2m/30 secR - change the defensive zone player each cycle

Coaching Points;

• Can you square up the defender and get past them with a feint or step-over?
• Use the whole square - create space for yourself by moving and checking off the defender to receive.
• The 1v1 may not be an option each time - be patient and create the opportunity
• Defenders, body shape  - surfboard stance. Shephard them away from the field
• Speed in transition - once a player has broken their zone - everyone is then active and unlocked - can we score quickly. Be on your toes ready for transition.

Progression;

• transition to an open game, but players get a bonus point for each 1v1 successfully completed. Encourage players to keep their scores. At each interval, for each successful 1v1 completed place a cone on their teams side - at the end of the game, most cones wins.

Session Review and Feedback: