Playing Forward

By Sean Reed -

Objective
For this session we are focusing playing forward and supporting the forward pass.

Set Up
The session is set up within an area approx 30-40 in Length by 25-30 Width. It is 4v4 in the middle with 2 players from each team at each end.
The team in possession can score a goal when the ball is played into one outside player and then worked down to the other outside player, retaining possession of the ball (the player outside is on 1 touch). See Diagram 1

Depending on how long the session is played for, players switch from the outside to the inside.

Progressions
• Restrictions on the number of touches
• The player who plays a pass into the end player cannot receive directly from that player. Another player must receive the ball. See Diagram 2

Set Up - with Goals
The session is set up as within the previous session, but with the inclusion of 2 goals, 1 up each end. The players on the outside are positioned either side of the goal.

A goal is scored when the ball is played to an outside player and then played back into an inside player to score into the goal. The ball must be played by the player receiving the ball immediately into the goal and cannot be passed to someone else (2 touch). See Diagram 3.

Progressions
• Restrictions on the number of touches
• The player who plays a pass into the end player cannot receive directly from that player. Another player must receive the ball.
• 1 touch finish on the inside from the ball received from the outside
• Introduction with 2 goals. Outside players are in the middle and goals either side. The teams have 2 goals to score in. See Diagram 4.

Some Coaching Points
• Movement to receive the ball
• Looking for opportunities to pass forward
• Supporting the ball
• Forward runs
• Timing of movements and creative runs
• Weight of pass
• Control of finish

By Sean Reed
Former First Team Coach of Championship team 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.

Web - www.seanjreed.com
Twitter - @SeanJReed

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