By Sean Reed -
Objective
These sessions focus on a players working on their 1st touch and range passing within a competitive situations. These can be used within small groups or on a recovery day or as additional extra work. Players will receive the ball in many different ways and play a range of different passes with both feet.
Session 1
Diagram 1
Set Up
- 1v1 within two areas 20yds apart
- Each of the boxes are approx 5-7yds x 5-7yds
- A player serves by striking the ball through the front of the box, for the opponent to take 1 touch to control the ball (must stay in the box). 2nd touch to play a return pass (within the box)
- The ball must enter the front side of the box
- The pass can be played either along the ground or in the air
- If the ball is played in the air, by the time it reaches the back of the box it must be below knee height (otherwise the opponent can leave the ball)
- The player who wins the point continues serving
Progression
- Ball must be played in the air and reach the box in the air
- Score only on the players serve and each player has a set number of serves
- Change the distance between the two areas
- The ball can not stop moving after the 1st touch
Coaching Points
- • Movement and preparation before receiving the ball
• 1st touch
• Accuracy of final pass
• Encourage players to use both feet
• Weight and speed of the pass
• Work on a variety of passes
Session 2
Diagram 2
[wpsharely id="1204"][/wpsharely]
Set Up
- 2v2 within two areas 20yds apart
- Each of the boxes are approx 5-7yds x 5-7yds
- A player serves by striking the ball through the front of the box. 1st player receives the ball and takes 1-touch to set for the 2nd player who will play a return pass into the opponent’s area. The ball must enter the front side of the box
- The pass can be played either along the ground or in the air
- If the ball is played in the air, by the time it reaches the back of the box it must be below knee height (otherwise the opponent can leave the ball
- Each player only has 1 touch
- The team who wins the point continues serving
Progression
- Ball must be played in the air and reach the box in the air
- Score only on the players serve and each player has a set number of serves
- Change the distance between the two areas
- The ball can not stop moving after the 1st touch
- Players must alternative from receiving to passing (can’t be the same player who receives the ball twice in a row)
Coaching Points
- Movement and preparation before receiving the ball
- 1st touch (soft touch) / Weight of 1st touch to set
- Accuracy of final pass
- Communication
- Angles of support / distances
- Use of both feet
- Work on a variety of passes
Session 3
Diagram 3
Set Up
- As with the previous session
- When the 1st player receives the ball, they play a 1-touch pass to the 2nd player who then plays back to the 1st player with a 1-touch pass. Player 1 will then play a pass across to the opponent's box see diagram 3
Progression
- Ball must be played in the air and reach the box in the air
- Score only on the players serve and each player has a set number of serves
- Change the distance between the two areas
- Players must alternative from receiving to passing (can’t be the same player who receives the ball twice in a row)
Coaching Points
- • Movement and preparation before receiving the ball
• 1st touch (soft touch) / Weight of 1st touch to set
• Accuracy of final pass
• Communication
• Angles of support / distances
• Use of both feet
• Work on a variety of passes
Session 4
Set Up
- 3v3 within two areas 20-40yds apart
- Each of the boxes are approx 7-10yds x 7-10yds
- A player serves by striking the ball through the front of the box
- 1st player receives the ball and takes 1-touch to set for the 2nd player and the 2nd player plays with 1-touch to set the 3rd player who then plays a return pass to the opponent’s area. The ball must enter the front side of the box
- The pass can be played either along the ground or in the air
- If the ball is played in the air, by the time it reaches the back of the box it must be below knee height (otherwise the opponent can leave the ball
- Each player only has 1 touch
- The team who wins the point continues serving
- The ball must not stop moving
Progression
- Ball must be played in the air and reach the box in the air
- Score only on the players serve and each player has a set number of serves
- Change the distance between the two areas
- Players must alternative from receiving to passing (can’t be the same player who receives the ball twice in a row)
Coaching Points
- Movement and preparation before receiving the ball
- 1st touch (soft touch) / Weight of 1st touch to set
- Accuracy of final pass
- Communication
- Angles of support / distances
- Speed of play
- Use both feet
- Variety range of passing
By Sean Reed
Former First Team Coach of Championship side Fulham FC. Sean is a UEFA A Coach with a Masters in Sport Coaching. He has over 15 years of experience working in professional football from Academy through to First team in the Premiership and Championship.
Linkedin - www.developmentofplayers.com
Twitter - @SeanJReed
