Quick combinations towards goal (drill)

This drill should be carried out at pace with 1 touch passing where possible. 

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Set Up

Mark out a 20 x 20 square with players in each corner; in the center should be two target players, I have put the target players in different colors to help explain the drill but this is not necessary.

Explanation

The red player on the outside starts with the ball and plays to a target player of his choice. Here he plays to the green player who quickly plays to the other target player who plays the ball back into the path of the player who started the move. On receiving the ball that player will play it to the next red player who will repeat the sequence. 

The next red player must play his first pass to the target player who did not receive the first pass last time (yellow) who will then play to green and back to the red player who has moved into a position to pass to the next red player in the sequence (here we are working anti-clockwise)

Then progress the drill by adding a goal and a goalkeeper. The red player will play into a target, who plays the ball into the other target who then must find the run of the red player towards goal. 

Remember the next red in the line must play the first pass to the other target player. Which encourages movement off the ball from both players in the center. 

Static defenders can be added to this drill to make it more realistic and make players aware of the offside line when combining to goal (time your run to stay onside) 

Coaching points:

• Movement in the center - check to the ball if it is your turn to receive and the player not receiving should get into an angle to support his team mate for a quick pass
• Receive the ball open body - make sure you can see where you are receiving the ball from and where you are going to play the ball to. Allowing quick movement of the ball (1 touch)
• Play the ball in front of the moving player so he can run onto the ball and play first time
• Firm and accurate pass so the receiving player can play first time
• Communication - call for the ball.

developing wing play

a GOOD DRILL FOR OUTLINING TO YOUNG PLAYERS THEir OPTIONS WHEN PLAYING AS A WINGER, DECISION MAKING AND CONFIDENCE CAN BE DEVELOPED IN THIS DRILL THROUGH REPETITION AND EXTENDING OR SUPPORTING PLAYERS BY MAKING AREAS BIGGER OR SMALLER AND INCREASING OR DECREASING THE AMOUNT OF TOUCHES ALLOWED WHEN IN THE WINGERS ZONE.

Set Up

Area: 35x45 with full size goals. Mark out 10 meter zones at each end of the pitch as shown bellow.

Teams: 5 v 5, each team consists of 1 goalkeeper, 2 central players and 2 wingers. Players cannot leave there allocated zones creating 1 v 1 situations on the wings. 

Play from the GK who plays out to his team mates who will then try and get the ball out wide as quickly as possible.

Options for wide players

• Take the player on 1 v 1 (close control, change of direction and acceleration) 
• Look to play a give and go with a central player and pass around defender 
• Look for an early cross
• Take the ball to the end line and look for a cut back

Important: It may be a good idea to slow this drill down and talk through the options open to the winger, run a couple of scenarios and then build up to open play. 

GOAL CAN ONLY BE SCORED BY FINISHING A PASS/CROSS FROM THE WINGER WITH 1 TOUCH. 

Transition Session #1

Age Group: 12-13 Years Old Ability Level: Beginner Gender: Boys/Girls

Equipment Required: Bibs, balls, cones

Aim of Session: Encouraging quick transition play from defense to attack and building confidence in young players to do so.

 

Technical Warm Up 

Set up a 40x20 area, with players divided between the 4 outside cones. In this exercise the red players starts to dribble the ball, on his/her first touch, the blue player comes to put pressure on his/her dribble. Once the dribbling player passes halfway they play a diagonal pass into the other red team. The process continues. Encourage players to join the line diagonal from where the start to keep a smooth rotation and after 5 minutes swap the red and blue teams.

Coach:

• Be Positive 
• With first touch forward and into space 
• Attack the ball as it approaches you
• Correct weight of pass

Progression:

• Dribbling player must cut across the oncoming defender, again coach a positive attitude towards dribbling and passing forward.

Transition Drill

Instruction: Split an area of 60x40 into two halves. Play 7 v 7 in one half, there is a neutral goalkeeper in each half (represented in the diagram as 'R'). The team in possession must make 5 passes then play the ball into the goalkeeper on the opposite side of the field, at which point every player must transfer into that half. On a turnover the ball must go into the opposite goalkeeper.

Coaches Points:

Timing/type of pass and run 

Speed of transition, support early 

Movement off the ball is essential from all players to give options

Progression:

To transfer, you must play a teammate into the other half before it goes to the goalkeeper

You must dribble into the other half before it goes to the goalkeeper

Play 2 touch

Transition Conditioned Game

Instruction: Split a 60x40 area into thirds with a goalkeeper occupying a goal at either end. There is no tackling allowed in the middle zone and there should only be one player there at a time. The red team start with the ball and release a player into the middle third, this player plays into the final third and supports to create a 4 v 4 situation and the team aim to score. On the turnover the blue team release a player into the middle zone and make advantage of a 4 v 3, the sequence continues, play first to 5 goals.

Coaching Points:

Speed of play, fast!

Timing of pass and runs, movement off the ball to be available

Use the extra attacker for give and go's or diversion runs

Mindset - ready to change quickly from defense to attack when your team wins the ball

Progression:

• Attacker can drop into the middle zone to receive the ball, defender can go with him