U14 Season Plan

1. U14 Season Plan Compiled together by Suleman Desai, Academy Trainer, Challenger Sports, Denver Region

2. Season Outline Week 1 – Pre Season Fitness, Control and SAQ Week 2 – Receiving and Turning Week 3 – Passing and Moving Week 4 – Overloads Week 5 – Finishing Week 6 – Possession Week 7 –Defending Week 8 – Heading Week 9- Support Play, Possession, Dribbling and Running With the Ball

3. Week 1 Pre Season 1 Pre Season 2 Pre Season 3 Pre Season 4

4. Pre Season 1 • Reds pass and move inside area/ Blues pass the ball around perimeter/ Yellows dribble the ball. • Encourage dribblers to use different parts of feet/ Encourage passers to integrate different types of movement. • Challenger passing team to play 1 or 2 touches, create and maintain passing angles/ Dribblers can intercept passes. • Two teams play. Everyone must be in opposition half to score. • Emphasis on quality touches and movement. Praise creativity, hard work, communication and teamwork. • For older kids add forfeits for conceding a goal e.g. Push ups, squat jumps etc. • Speed Circuit – There are 4 of the same circuits set up. Two players from each team go at a time creating a 1v1 situation in the two playing areas where the goals are. The player performs a short sprint then performs fast feet or bunny hops through evenly spaced cones. The player then zig zags through 4 tall cones (touching them all) before sprinting to the final tall cone. The player then performs a longer sprint into the field where there is a ball. The players compete 1v1 to score a goal or the ball leaves the playing area. • Upon completing this drill perform some endurance work e.g. dribble the ball to halfway line and then sprint the other half without the ball. Organise into small groups so that players get rest between sprints.

5. Pre Season 2 • Reds pass and move inside area/ Blues pass the ball around perimeter/ Yellows dribble the ball. • Encourage dribblers to use different parts of feet/ Encourage passers to integrate different types of movement. • Challenger passing team to play 1 or 2 touches, create and maintain passing angles/ Dribblers can intercept passes. • End to end game. Split field into thirds. 8v4 in one third. Team of 8 needs to make 10 passes. Upon making the passes 4 attackers break out to create a 4v4 situation and try score a goal. If attacking team score they start again in their third. If they don’t the opposition start with the ball in their third with the same set up as in the beginning of the drill (8v4). If defenders win the ball in the 8v4 situation they can dribble out to their third or put the ball out to reset the pass count. • Encourage communication and teamwork. • 2v2 speed game. Players play 2v2 in a narrow field. Set up as many fields as needed. The teams on the field try to score a goal to knock the other team out. If the ball goes out of play or a team scores both teams leave the field. The teams waiting behind the goal sprint to the other goal and back to begin playing. Give the ball to the winning colour/the team that did not kick the ball out of play to start the next game. If the games are too quick put a 2 minute time limit on each game. Rotate teams and fields.

6. Pre Season 3 • Warm up activity. Pass an move the ball around in groups. Encourage give and go’s, third man running, overlap runs etc. Encourage different types of passing i.e. short, long, driven etc. • Can add defending team e.g. 8v4. You can also add dribblers who will try intercept the passing teams’ passes. • Players are in pairs. One is the server who serves the ball to their partner. Their partner controls the ball and plays the ball back. The ball needs to be served at different speeds , heights and angles to encourage movements replicated in a game. Swap roles after a while. • Can vary distance between servers. Work in threes or fours too to add diagonal balls in to test players. • Can make players control the ball on the move too. • 1v1 speed development. Set up 2 narrow fields with goals at each end. Split the group up into 4 teams. Each team is stationed at a different corner. • Upon shouting “Go” the first player on each team runs to the opposing line and turns to get the ball before their opponent. Players compete to score a goal in the opposing goal. • If a player scores the next pair go. If the ball goes out of play the player that kicked the ball out must go back 5 metres and the ball is given to the other player. Maximum time limit of 4 minutes per game. • You can adjust the length of the sprint. You can also allow players to score in either goal. • 3v3. 4 teams. Players can score in either of the two goals in the opposing end as long as they are in the 5 metre end zone. If a team scores they get the ball and attack the goals they were defending. • If a defending team wins possession they must dribble or pass to a teammate across the halfway line. If they do so, they become attackers against the next team and the former-attackers stay at the end where they lost the ball. • If a player puts the ball out of play in their own half then the attackers restart by dribbling back into play and continue their attack. If a player puts the ball out of play in their opponent's half, their attacking turn is over and the defenders can restart from the halfway line.

7. Pre Season 4 • SAQ work. Use an area half the size of a mini-soccer pitch. Add two end-zones, which are each about one quarter of the length of the field, and to each end-zone add two gates into the central area. • Split group into two teams. All but one team members start on one of the end-lines. The other player from each team 'defends' the gates in front of the opposition team. • To start the game shout 'Go'. The first player from each team must get past the defender and through one of the two gates. • If the defender is touching any part of the attacker they cannot go through the gate and must change direction or pace to create separation.  • The first player into the central area attacks the opponents gates and scores a point by dribbling through them. If the defender wins the ball they can attack the opposition gates. • 7v7 game. Position spare balls around the field to increase the speed of the game. • Encourage communication and teamwork. • When a team is at a numerical advantage encourage ruthlessness (quick play to score). • Encourage different tactics e.g. possession based play, high pressure defence, counter attacking etc.

8. Week 2 Session 1- Turning Session 2- Receiving to Play Forward Session 3 – Movement Session 4 - Consolidation

9. Turning • 4 groups of 3 – 1 ball per group • Receive ball from outside, turn and play to third player – repeat five times and then change central player • Third player in sequence can be on the move • Coaching considerations – Turn using no touch/one touch/two touch + • As technique practice but grey team defend. One defender active, the other two are target for active player if he wins possession (swap places) • Turning player s score every time they play across to third player and back • Rotate defending team • 2 teams of 4 + 4 target players in boxes • Directional – play to either target to score – target plays ball to opposition who attack

10. Receiving to Play Forward • 6 tall cones required for this session. Middle square is 10x10. Place a player next to each tall cone . • 2 balls in play. Balls start with players on the end cones. One player passes to the right and the other side pass to the left. • Players make small movements away from cone and receive the ball. Using 1 or 2 touches they receive the ball, turn and play the ball diagonally to another player who takes a touch before playing back to the end cone. The sequence is repeated. • Allow players to turn inside or outside. • Coaching points – movement away from defender. 1st touch needs to take you away from defender. • 3 teams of 3 players. Ball starts at one end. Middle player makes movement to receive ball. Upon receiving the ball the player turns and plays to the player on the other end. Repeat sequence. • Players can pass the ball to a any player on the other side once the sequence becomes fluent. • Can we move to get the ball? Can we get side on? Am I going to receive the ball on the front foot to guard the ball or back foot to play forward? • 40x40 area with a 10x10 yard square in the middle. Teams of 3. 2 players on the outside on opposing sides and 1 on the inside. Players on the inside receive the ball off one team mate and play to the other. • Encourage variety of passing. • To progress the drill players in the middle can switch with players in the outside without the ball. • Scan the field to see where the pass needs to go. Body position – be on the half turn. Decision making. Timing of run.

11. Movement • Players dribble around. Encourage turns, skills etc. • Introduce point scoring system whereby you get a point if you dribble in between two players and then make a turn on the outside. • Recognise space. Drive into space. Quick turns. • 3 teams. Team 1 passes the ball in and around the inside of the playing area. Team 2 dribbles their ball inside the playing area. Team 3 is on the outside passing the ball to each other. • Progress Team 3 to see if they can pass through the inside. • Awareness, pass and move - create and replace space, receive on the move, support player on the ball, weight of pass. • 2 teams. One team passes and moves the ball from GK to GK. The other from target man to target man. Only 1 ball. The team with the ball plays to their end zones. The other tries to win the ball then pay to their end zones. • Encourage player to move from triangle to triangle. • Progress to just GK to GK. Team in possession tries to find a GK to score a point. • Progress again into a game where the teams have to score a goal for a point but must still pass and move. Can they move from triangle to triangle? • Pass/move/replace, movement (create an angle) and body shape to receive, time run to create space.

12. Consolidation • Can the players show what they have learnt this week in a game scenario?

13. Week 3 Passing Short Passing Long Passing Switching Play

14. Passing • 3 teams of 4 – one ball per team. Maintain possession within area amongst your team of four. • Look for opportunities to play quick combinations or see spaces between other teams players and pass ball through • Weight and timing of pass/passing selection 8 vs. 4 Blues keep possession from reds Reds seek to win it and keep themselves • 2 teams of 4 + 2 targets + 2 floaters • Directional – play to targets to score – they return to opposition who play other way • Use floaters on side of pitch to maintain possession

15. Short Passing • 2 teams of 5 • 1 x ball per team . Maintain possession trying to pass to team-mates in boxes adjacent to yours • Encourage use of give and go’s and 1-touch play • Weight and timing of pass/passing selection • 6 vs. 4 (or 7 vs. 3) • Blues seek to keep the ball from the reds, whom if gaining possession keep themselves • For blues, a split pass (played between 2 reds) scores. Reds score every complete pass made. • 2 teams of 4 + 2 support players on the side • Play into end zone for team-mate to run onto to score – offside can apply in end zone • Use yellows to support keeping possession and setting up attacks

16. Long Passing • 2 teams of 5 in their own channel • 1 x ball per team – server plays into 2 who combine and play longer ball into far target player • One of the two moves into other half of the pitch to support player in that half to combine and return the ball to start point. • 2 vs. 1 + 2 servers/targets on each pitch • As technique practice but defender seeks to win ball and return to server • Attackers work opportunities to play ball into far end target, doing so from the half of the pitch that they received the ball in • Weight and timing of pass/passing selection • 2 teams of 4 + 2 target players in end zone • Play into end zone target to score – try to do so from own half of the pitch • Target player plays ball into opposition to re-start game

17. Switching Play • 8 players. 3 in middles channel and five shared between two wide channels. 3 balls. • Red players receive a ball from one side of the pitch and seek to play to a free player on the opposite side of the pitch • Rotate 3 reds • When, why and how? • 2 vs. 2 + GK’s + 4 servers • Try to score having gone from one side of the pitch to the other. Can use GK to achieve. • GK can serve ball into yellow servers • 2 teams of 4 + 2 GK’s • Directional game – maintain markings of thirds

18. Week 4 Spatial Awareness Forward Runs Combination Play Consolidation

19. Spatial Awareness • Area divided into 3 channels. Players dribble in a zig-zag fashion Must touch each side twice with ball at their feet. Upon reaching the end they must turn and dribble /juggle down one of the side channels. • Encourage lots of touches and change in pace. • Progression – 3 teams. 2 teams of 3 and one of team of 2. The teams of 3 start at opposing ends and try to dribble to the other side and back 3 times. Encourage turns like drag back and Cruyff at each end. The team of 2 pass the ball across to each other to gain a point. Can the passing team come into the middle and take the ball out too? • Head up and decision making/big touches in space, small when it’s tight/use both feet/change in pace/ pass when there is space. • 2 teams. One team is passing and moving the ball. The other is dribbling trying to block the other teams passes. • Progression – Move the passing team to the outside. They now have to play through the dribblers. • Progression 2 – One player from the passing team can step in to the middle to receive the ball and either turn back to the outside or play the ball back to the outside. • Head up/movement/exploit space/choice of pass. • 2 teams. Each team passes and moves the ball from target man to target man. After w awhile take one ball out. Pass and move into space encouraging team mates to make runs to receive the ball or create space. • Identify or find space/change of pace – slow and then fast/May need to make 2-3 runs to lose a defender (movement)/patience/body shape to receive the ball – side on. • Change to 2 bounce players. Teams try to retain possession by bouncing off their target man on each side. • Add goalkeepers with goals. Now we have to score a goal. Scoring means you retain possession. Can we play in triangles?

20. Forward Runs • One large square and a smaller square inside. 3 teams. Players in the corners pass the ball to a team mate who breaks out of the middle box to receive a pass. The person that received the ball dribbles to a different corner. The person that passed the ball makes their way into the middle. • Encourage players to find a corner that doesn’t have a team mate nearby. Players should also scan to be aware of their surroundings. Players should also vary pace – move slowly until they can receive the ball then break at pace into space. • Mark out 30x40m field with two 5m end zones as offside lines. Also mark out 2 wide areas. Play 5v5+1 in the central area with 2 neutral full backs. Only the full backs are allowed in the wide areas. • Teams score by receiving the ball in the end zone. However the run must be timed so the player is not offside. • Progressions- Allow one player to challenge the full back/Allow the full backs to drive inside. • Vary direction shape and speed of runs/timing/Can unselfish runs affect play? (opens up space for team mates)/Don’t force forward, Can you switch the play and drive forward when there is space? • Same game but add 2 small goals on one end and a big goal at the other. Play 3 defenders vs 2 attackers + 1 full back. 1 player from the opposing half can join in making it a 3v3+1. • Progress onto all players playing full field with one full back each/neutral full backs.

21. Combination Play • Mark out 4 squares in playing area (7x7). 2 teams. One play in a clockwise direction the other anticlockwise. Pass the ball and follow your pass. Can we play 2 touch? • Progress to allow players freedom to play give and go’s (example of a combination play). • Divide field into 2 halves. 2 players on each corner with 2 midfielders in the middle. The ball must move from corner to corner. Players on the outside follow their pass. Players can play combinations with midfield players before moving the ball to the next corner. • Progression – add in a defender./make it 3v2 in the middle but defenders can only play in 1 half. • Decision making/follow your pass/movement-supporting each other/be aware of team mates movement/encourage players on inside to use the players on the outside. • Set up two goals diagonally from each other. Field is split in two with tall cones on the halfway line to act as interference. 2 teams of attackers (3 per team). • Attacker 1 passes to attacker 2 who draws defender. Ball is played in to attacker 3 who goes on to shoot. Defenders can not pass the halfway line. The players rotate positions. Attacker that shoots needs to retrieve ball and join the other side. • Body shape/movement off the ball/decision making – pass to feet or into space/weight of pass/can you score? • Game scenario. 3 defenders v 1 attacker in each half. Only spare man can move between halves. Defenders play combos between each other and the spare man and then shoot. Attacker can only score off rebounds. • Progressions- defenders can play in the attacker and join him. Players can dribble into the other half if possible. • Shooting/Be alert for rebounds/Look to set up a teammate for a first time strike/Get the shot off quickly/Attackers movement to create space.

22. Consolidation • Can the players show what they have learnt this week in a game scenario?

23. Week 5 Finishing Counter Attacking Crossing and Finishing Consolidation

24. Finishing • 4 players, 4 servers + 2GK’s. • 1 server serves a ball l onto each pitch and two attackers create a shot on goal - repeat • Rotate – vary service • Technique/body shape/can I adjust? • 2 vs. 2 + 4 servers + GK’s • Servers play into area and reds attack to score (can use servers to help if required). If blue’s win the ball, play back to server and swap roles – if reds score, they get another go • Rotate servers for players • 2 teams of 4. + 2 GK’s • Directional – score in oppositions goal

25. Counter Attacking • Set up a field with two end zones and a “jungle” in the middle. The jungle needs 2 ladders for fast feet, Tall cones for bunny hops and small cones in a zig zag pattern to shuffle/jockey. • Players play handball in the end zones. Encourage quick passes and movement. Upon the coaches command they drop the ball and break into the jungle performing 2/3 of the available agility drills. • Progress onto players passing and moving the ball in the end zones. • Quick transition/agility/footwork/movement/creating and replacing space. • 3 ball finish – 1 GK, 1 corner kick taker, 1 wide midfielder, 2 attackers, 2 defender, 4 midfielders. Players play in a 10x10 square. After 5 passes one player plays the ball in to the 2 attackers and joins them to create a 3v2 situation. They try score as quickly as possible. Once that ball is dead another midfielder plays the ball wide and joins the attack creating a 4v2 for the wide midfielder to beat the “defender” and cross the ball. Again the aim is to score a goal. As soon as that ball is dead the corner is taken and the attackers try to score. • Progression – add a defender into the midfield box. The defender can join the other defenders when the 2nd ball is played. • Tempo of play/movement and timing of runs/finishing/use of spare man. • 3v1/3v2. 1 attacker vs 1 defender in the middle. 4 defenders all numbered 1-4 on the outside. 2 lines of midfielders. Play begins with one midfielder passing to the other. They play into the striker and try to score a goal. If the coach shouts a defenders number out that defender joins the middle making it a 3v2. The aim is for the attackers to score as quick as they can. • Progression – make it 1 4v2/4v3. • Overloads/Tempo/Disguise of pass/Communication/Support runs. • Counter attacking SSG. 1GK, 2 defenders, 2 midfielders and 1 attacker. The coach shouts out a GK’s name who plays it in to a full back. The full back plays it into a midfielder or attacker from his team in the opposing half to create a 3v2. The attackers try to score. Midfielders in box who are defending can interfere. Attacker can try steal the ball of full backs. • Attack at pace/utilise spare man/switch play

26. Crossing and Finishing • 2 separate playing areas separated by tall cones to act as interference. Teams pass and move the ball in their area. Upon the coaches call the ball must be switched from each side. Encourage variety of passes i.e. lofted, driven, swerved etc. • Progression – add 2 goals with a GK in each. Same as above but once the ball has been switched the player receiving the ball must get the ball out of his feet and cross the ball. A player from the opposite box runs in to try meet the cross and score. • Pass and move/switch the ball from the back of the area/try different passes/quality of cross/movement. • Set up 2 goals and a zoned off area with 2 wingers. 2 teams in place behind goal waiting for their winger to receive the ball and cross. 1 player from behind the goal plays the ball to their winger. The winger takes a touch and crosses the ball to the players from behind the goal who have made a run into the box. The other team goes in the opposite direction. • Progression – add in defender(s)/allow other winger to apply pressure to the attacking winger. • Winger must make a run to lose defender before receiving the ball/winger must take one touch to by-line before crossing/and variety of crosses/movement of attackers must vary. • Small sided game. 4v4+1. Try to score a goal with a cross and finish. A goal is worth 1 point but a cross and finish is worth 3. • Progression – allow 1 defender to challenger crosser. • Decision making/first touch – out of your feet when wide/variety and quality of crosses/movement of strikers/finishing technique.

27. Consolidation • Can the players show what they have learnt this week in a game scenario?

28. Week 6 Possession 1 Playing Out From the Back Possession 3 Transition 1

29. Possession 1 • Technical warm up. 2 teams of 4 players. Player from the outside plays the ball to a team mate on the inside. That player passes to the other team mate on the inside who then fins the final team mate on the outside. Repeat sequence. • Progression – Players on the outside can play to one another if they want to. • Movement to receive/create supporting angles/combination play/spatial awareness – always scanning. • Field divided into 4 squares (8x8). Mark using different coloured cones (clockwise orange, yellow, orange, yellow). 2 teams of 4 players. 2 players from each team play on the outside of the squares, 2 on the inside. • Play begins with an outside player. He plays the ball to a team mate inside the area who plays a diagonal pass to his team mate inside the area. That player then finds the other team mate on the outside. That player then passes the ball to the other team wo repeat the sequence. • Progression – 2 players from team act as defenders but can only defend the 2 squares in their half. The 2 attackers can use the whole area but must receive the ball in a different square to their team mate. Attacking team get points for keeping possession and playing from end to end. If defending team win the ball and play it to their outside man they get a point. Teams then switch roles. • Move as the ball travels/body position/play forward. • Play in thirds. Divide the field into thirds with the middle third slightly bigger than the end thirds. Set up 2v2 in the middle and 1v1 in each end third. 1 player from the middle third can drop back or forward to create a 2v1 when their team is in possession. Encourage playing out from the back and forward runs. • Progression – All players start in the middle third. They have to make 3 passes before they can try score. Only 1 attacker can break into the opposing third and must hold the ball up for support before scoring. 1 defender can try steal the ball. • Combination play/angles of support/forward runs to create overload/play forward getting in between and beyond defenders.

30. Playing Out From the Back • 60x40 area with a goal at one end and 2 target players at the other. Place tall cones in a formation e.g. 2-4-2. Team sets up with 2CB, 2FB, 3CM, and 3F. If you have extra players make them FB and CM and rotate each play. GK passes the ball to CB or FB who then play a combination of passes to get to the target man. 1 team plays down the right and one team plays down the left. • Progression – introduce midfield rotation e.g. 1 midfielder drops deep and one pushes on for longer pass. • Always follow the ball back into GK hands until safe/Immediately spread out and create as much space as possible/CB’s split and FB push high (can drop back)/body shape to receive/create supporting angles/the more defenders we eliminate the better the pass. • 7 defenders plus a GK try to play out from the back and score a goal by finding their target men. 5 attackers try to win the ball and score in the big goal. Rotate positions. At the start give players responsibility by giving them a cone to put down where their starting position should be when the GK has the ball. • Progression – 5 passes before you score/coach may shout different number/ the coach can drop a 2nd ball to the attackers and the defenders must react to try prevent a goal. • 7 defenders try play out and score a goal. Attackers try to win the ball and score in one of the 2 small goals.

31. Possession 3 • 3 teams in the playing area. 1 ball per team. Players pass and move inside the area. They perform dynamic stretches when not in possession. • Progression – Can we receive the ball in between people, and on the run?/Encourage this by asking them to take their first touch towards a marker. • 2 teams of 6. 2v2+1 on the inside. The rest of the players play in the outside but must not stand next to a team mate. Teams try to keep possession for as long as possible. Bounce players can not be tackled. • Progression - make it 3v3+1 meaning the team in possession has less bounce players. • Movement off the ball/decision making/move the ball quickly. • Set up a small goal on each end line. There are 2 5 yard end zones which only 1 attacker is allowed in. Play 5v5 with 1 ball. The aim is to keep possession and score a goal. • Movement to create space/quick passing and well timed runs/patience – if the defence is packed can we recycle and start again?

32. Transition 1 • Set up a playing area with 2 end zones. 2 teams play passing and moving around the playing area. 1 person is allowed to drop into either end zone and try receive the ball. Can we find the player in space? • Progression – Can we find the spare man and support him (3rd man run) > long ball to the other end zone (creates picture of winning the ball, going back and then trying to break quickly). • Rotation/communication//awareness. • Following on from the warm up teams play 8v6 in the middle area. 2 players from the defending team drop into an end zone. The attacking team try keep the ball. When the defending team intercepts they try find a player in the end zone. The attacking team now becomes the defending team so 2 players drop out and the 2 that were in the end zone come into the middle. • Pressure/angles/decision making. • Move on to adding 2 neutral players creating a 9v5. Defending team have to consider how to win the ball back (intercept or pressure into mistake). • Move on to a field divided in thirds. Defending team must leave 1 player in attacking third. All players on the attacking team must be in the final third for goal to count. • Progression – take out neutral players and make the teams even. • First pass/movement/communication/awareness.

33. Week 7 Defending When Organised Defending When Outnumbered Pressing in the Final Third Defending Crosses

34. Defending When Organised • 2 teams of 4 + 2 GK’s + 2 servers • GK serves to defenders who play into target player.. They play into attackers on other pitch who, unopposed, seek to get ball into GK’s hands • Re-start as in 1. • Deny space(pressure, cover, balance)/body shape (which direction am I going to force play? • As in Technique practice, except attacking team seek to score in goal and defender / goalkeeper try not to concede. • If defender / goalkeeper re-gain play into target player in middle area. • 2 teams of 4 + GK’s + 2 servers • Server starts game and plays into GK who commences game – servers not to be used in play

35. Defending Outnumbered • 2 teams of 4 + 2 GK’s • GK serves to defenders who play into target player.. They play to attackers, unopposed, who seek to get ball into GK’s hands • Re-start as in 1. • Deny/Delay/Deflect/Defend. • As in Technique practice, except attacking team seek to score in goal and defender / goalkeeper try not to concede. • If defender / goalkeeper re-gain play into target player in middle area • Target player after playing into attackers recovers into practice to act as a recovering defender • 2 teams of 4 + GK’s • Look at opportunities for attacking from re-gains to support team to practice defending outnumbered

36. Pressing in the Final Third • 4 teams of 3 players. 1 ball in play. Each team stands behind a tall cone. The coach passes the ball to a player who passes the ball and moves left. As soon as the player touches the ball the first player from the line opposite presses the player with the ball. The trigger to press is when the passer releases the ball. • Progression – players can pass in either direction. • Make up ground quickly/reading the player/body shape. • 2 teams. 1 team of 6 players (defenders) and one team of 4+2 (attackers). On one end the two target/bounce players position themselves. At the other end there is 2 small goals. Put in lines to help defenders. • The attackers must pass the ball 3 times before they can attack the defenders in the larger area. They can also have long shots if they have space. • The defenders try to win the ball. When do they press/when do they drop off? Triggers to press include a backward pass/poor touch/poor pass. Triggers to drop may be that the opposition has space for a long shot. • Progression – Points to attackers for breaking into big third and scoring a goal. Points for defenders for winning the ball and finding the target men. • Pressure or no pressure?/press as a unit/decision making/reading the game. • Divide field into thirds. 2 teams of 7 (including 1 GK and 1 sweeper). Players play 5v5 in the middle but can only tackle a designated player(they are matched up 1v1). Sweepers can only have 3 touches but can not be tackled. • Progression – play a normal game but maintain principles of when to press. • Recognise triggers to press i.e. backwards pass, sloppy pass, sweerper’s 2nd touch/if you can’t get pressure drop off/move as the ball travels/press as a unit/try not to let opponents turn towards goal.

37. Defending Crosses • 3 groups of 4 players. 1 group is on the inside of the square. The other 2 are on the outside. The players on the inside run to a player and volley the ball back. • Progression – Take out half the balls. The players now volley the ball to someone without the ball/They can then head the ball clear. • Attack the ball/get height and distance to clear the ball/Defender’s need to have a good distance between each other/communication/concentrate on getting the right distance on the attacker. • 1 GK, 2 CB, 1RM and 1 LM, 1 CM. CM plays the ball out wide. The wide player crosses, the defenders get it clear. • Progression – Add in an attacker to try score a goal so its 2v1 in the box/make it 3v3 in the box. • Attack the ball/get height and distance to clear the ball/Defender’s need to have a good distance between each other/communication/concentrate on getting the right distance on the attacker. • Same set up as above but now defenders start on edge of 18 and must recover to make a clearance. It is a 3v2 in attackers favour in the box. • Progression – Make it a 3v3 in the box. • Recovery run to get into a good defending position/attack the ball/be aware of attacking runs/use the pace on the ball to clear the ball/concentrate on lines of recovery runs (don’t all make the same run). • 2 teams. Each team has 2 wide players. Can only score from crosses. Wingers can not be tackled in the wide channel. Can teams show what we learnt earlier in the session?

38. Week 8 Defensive Heading Attacking Heading Consolidation Consolidation

39. Defending Heading • 4 players, 6 servers + 2 GK’s. Servers play a pass from either central to wide or wide to central and ball is then fed into defender aerially for them to defend with their head. • After each header swap with partner. Can use thrown serves. • Rotate with servers. • As technique practice but add an attacking opponent. • Rotate servers for players and attackers with defenders • Can use thrown serves • Technique/body shape/ball contact/attack the ball/adjust to the flight. • 2 teams of 4 + 2 servers + 2 GK’s • Directional – score in oppositions goal. Use servers to provide aerial balls into box from a variety of angles/positions and from both sides of the pitch • Can use thrown servers

40. Attacking Heading • 4 players, 6 servers + 2 GK’s. Servers play a pass from either central to wide or wide to central and ball is then fed into attacker to head past GK • After each header swap with partner. Can use thrown serves. • Rotate with servers. • As technique practice but add a defending opponent. • Rotate servers for players and attackers with defenders • Can use thrown serves • Technique/body shape/ball contact/attack the ball/adjust to the flight. • 2 teams of 4 + 2 servers + 2 GK’s • Directional – score in oppositions goal. Use servers to provide aerial balls into box from a variety of angles/positions and from both sides of the pitch • Can use thrown servers

41. Consolidation • Can the players show what they have learnt this week in a game scenario?

42. Consolidation • Can the players show what they have learnt this week in a game scenario?

43. Week 9 Support Play Dribbling Running With the Ball Consolidation

44. Support Play (incorporating runs on the ball and off the ball) • 2 teams of 4 + 2 GK’s. 1 ball per team. 2 players (1 t either end) on the outside and 2 in the middle. GK’s on two sides. • Ball played into middle two who combine and play out to GK who serves to outside player to play back in & repeat. • Swap roles. • 3 reds vs. 2 blues attacking goal. Two serving reds set up and play in. Red’s seek to set up a shot on goal. If blues regain they play to outlet player and then return to red servers. • Rotate positions • 2 teams of 4 + GK’s • Directional – score in oppositions goal • Where? (advance/behind/square)/distance/timing/angles/Why? (Create space/receive the ball/release pressure)

45. Dribbling • 2 teams of 5 in their own channel • 1 x ball per team – server plays into team mate who dribbles past stationery player and passes to end player • Dribble joins behind player he gave the ball to, and initial server comes onto pitch to be the stationery opponent – repeat. • As technique practice but one defender goes across into oppositions channel to create 1 vs. 1 • If defender wins they run ball over opposite end line • Initial server becomes attacker, dribbler goes in behind player he scores by playing to - repeat • 2 teams of 4 + 2 GK’s • Directional – score past oppositions GK • Technique (small touches, head up etc.)/stretch opposition/create 1v1/attack space behind defender/be positive.

46. Running With The Ball • 2 teams of 4 – one inside area, other on perimeter – 4 balls • Receive ball from outside and run with it into other half of the pitch before passing to available player on the outside - receive back and repeat four times. • Swap roles with a red. • Waves practice. Reds serve into two on field players who seek to run ball into other half and play through to reds at far end. Receiving reds enter pitch and play 2 vs. 1 coming back the other way - repeat • If def’ wins they score by running ball over nearest end line • 2 teams of 4. • Directional – run ball into end zone and stop it to score. Opposition collect ball and attack back opposite direction. • Recognise space/opportunity/defenders/Travel effectively.

47. Consolidation • Can the players show what they have learnt this week in a game scenario?