Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U14 Session 9: Function - Playing through 3MF (Start Time: 2016-03-06 19:55:00)

Set Up (15 mins)

Organisation

Create a grid 20 x 20 yards, sited around the centre circle;

Split players into two teams - blue and yellow - with 3 players in each team; Place neutral (red) players at opposite ends of the grid;

Blue team to be coached.

Aim

When in possession, blue team score by getting the ball from one side of the grid to the other. Far neutral player then returns ball to opposite neutral player and play is repeated.

If yellow team obtain possession, can they pass the ball to the neutral player they are facing, within 5 seconds.

Instructions

1. Blue players can switch positions, however they must have at least one attacking midfielder in the attacking half at any one time, so rotation (and communication) is key;

2. Attacking MF No.10 should be encouraged to play high, and avoid crossing the half way line - other than for rotation.

3. Once a goal has been scored, blue MF must return to starting positions of two defending MF and one AMF, quickly.

4. If limited success is being achieved, reduce opposition MF to 2 players and once success has been gained, increase opposition MF back to three. Alternatively, allow neutral player to join the MF defending area only, once he has played the ball into the area (see Progression 1).

5. Neutral player must pass the ball into a blue player each time.

Key Coaching Points

- Angles and distances of players

- when in possession make area wide as possible

- look at movement of attacking midfielder No.10 and rotation of players

- accuracy of pass

- when how and where to make runs

- quality of movement - both within grid and in positioning body to receive the ball on front foot.

- communication between players (including neutral players)

Effect Neutral Player

Can the neutral player play the ball in front of the MF player? Allowing the MF player to receive the ball on his front foot; Can the neutral player accompany the pass with a command - 'man on'; 'turn'; 'pass back'.

Neutral player needs to be quick with his pass as soon as a MF player has manged to create space - he must pass the ball before the space is closed down.

Effect MF Players No.7 & 11

Can the MF Players create space to receive the ball?

Firstly, if closely marked, can they 'Go to Show' or 'Show to Go', communicating with neutral player to pass the ball;

Secondly, if the two Defending MF Players are closely marked, can they switch positions to cause confusion amongst their markers, and create an opportunity to receive the ball; How can they communicate this? Trigger or word 'Switch';

What if both No.7 & 11 are marked, can they take themselves wide so as to enable the attacking MF No.10 player to sprint into the created space? Trigger? as soon as they head wide?

Once the ball has been received by a MF Player, how can the two other MF's assist? Movement and communication? Create angles for passing options.

Effect Attacking MF Player No.10

Stay high to make the grid as big as possible; However, must be alert - to make short sprint into space to receive the ball if both defending MF Players take their markers wide, leaving space in the middle. In addition, can the attacking MF player rotate with a No.7 or No.11, in order to try to create space to receive the ball? Once MF are in possession, can the attacking MF move into space in the attacking half in order to create a passing line?

No.7 & 11 Switch

Secondly, if the No.7 & 11 players are closely marked, can they switch positions to cause confusion amongst their markers, and create an opportunity to receive the ball; How can they communicate this? Trigger or word 'Switch';

Progression 1 (15 mins)

Progression 1

As soon as the neutral player has played the ball into a blue player, he can enter the area in order to create an overload for the blue players - however, he must not advance over the half way line.