By Philip Cauchi
Aim: For the players to meet the ball and prevent that it is intercepted by an opponent.
Team function: In Possession.
Key concepts:
1. Move to open a passing lane.
2. Receive the ball on the back foot.
3. Pace in the pass.
4. Oriented control.
This training session is suitable for the younger ages between 9 and 12. The practices shown in the session should form part of a curriculum that develop the habit of the players to attack the ball thus preventing that it is intercepted by an opponent while continue with the momentum of the attack.
Practice 1: Triangle passes.
Training load: Four sets of two minutes each with a rest period of one minute between sets (4 x 2’ – 1’ rest).
Total duration: 12 minutes.
Preparation: Mark a triangle where the sides are equal and twelve to fifteen yards in length. A group of players are positioned at each point of the triangle. To make the best use of the time and also to make sure that the players get sufficient repetition, there shouldn’t be more than three players at each group.
Description: At each group the players perform a counter-movement (away from then towards the ball) to receive the ball in front of the pole. The ball is played in sequence; from position A to position B, from position B to position C and from position C to position A. Extra balls are positioned at each group in case of any mis-passes. After passing the ball the players follow their pass. Alternate circulating the ball anti-clockwise with clockwise movement.
Practice 2: 3v1 Rondo.
Training load: Six sets of one minute each with a rest period of one minute between sets (6 x 1’ – 1’ rest).
Total duration: 12 minutes.
Preparation: Mark an area measuring eight yards by eight yards. Three attackers and one defender are to be positioned inside the area. One of the attackers has a ball at her feet.
Description: The three attackers keep possession of the ball with the aim of making a pre-set number of consecutive passes to each score a point. The defender aims to win the ball and dribble it out of the area to score two points. The defender than change places with the attacker responsible for the loss of possession. Points are accumulated to see who the overall winner is after each round. A total of six one-minute rounds are to be played.
Practice 3: 4v4+4 Positional Game.
Training load: Three sets of four minutes each with a rest period of one minute between sets (3 x 4’ – 1’ rest).
Total duration: 15 minutes.
Preparation: Mark an area measuring twenty five by fifteen yards. Three teams of four players each are formed. The attacking team is positioned on the outside of the area (black team). The defending team are positioned inside the area (yellow team), while the neutral team has a target player (4 and 9) on each end zone and two players inside. The neutral team play with the team in possession of the ball.
Description: The attacking team aims to play the ball from one target player to another to score a point. If the defending team win possession of the ball they transition quickly into attack and switch places with the black team.
Practice 4: Simulated attacking situation.
Training load: Four sets of three minutes each with a rest period of two minutes between sets (4 x 3’ – 2’ rest).
Total duration: 18 minutes.
Preparation: Mark an area measuring twenty five yards in length by fifteen yards in width and which is divided into two equal horizontal zones. A goalpost with goalkeeper is positioned at each goal line. In the attacking team’s defensive zone they outnumber the defenders 3+GKv2.
Description: The goalkeeper of the attacking team starts with the ball and plays it to one of the outfield players. The attacking team aim to play the ball into the attacking zone to be able to score. One of the attackers follow the play into the attacking zone to create overloads against the defence and goalkeeper. Play always starts from the goalkeeper of the attacking team. Therefore no throw-ins, corner kicks or goal kicks in favour of the defending team take place. Teams rotate roles for every set.
Game: GK+5 v GK+5 Man to man marking.
Training load: Four sets of three minutes each with a rest period of two minutes between sets (4 x 3’ – 2’ rest).
Total duration: 18 minutes.
Preparation: Mark an area measuring forty yards in length by thirty yards in width. A goalpost is positioned on each goal line. We have two teams of five players each plus a goalkeeper for each team.
Description: Play is normal except that the players are assigned to man mark throughout the whole game. This is done so that when in possession of the ball the players explore movements to get unmarked to receive the ball.
Cool down: Passing in groups of two while moving around within space. End the session with static stretching exercises. Each stretch should be between eighteen and twenty seconds in duration.
Duration: 10 minutes.
By Philip Cauchi
