By Philip Cauchi
Level of ability: This session is aimed for average to above average levels of ability. The players should have an understanding of the individual principles of play such as playing with the head up, adapting an open body profile, receiving and controlling the ball using the back foot and playing forward using diagonal and vertical passes.
Tips when finishing from inside the penalty area:
1. Think of the action as a pass instead of as a shot on goal!
2. Play a hard pass on the ground aimed at the bottom corner of the goal.
3. Head placed in a way where the kicker can just move the eyes towards the ball and also to check the goalkeeper’s position in goal.
Aim: To finish with accuracy on goal from inside the penalty area.
Team function: Offensive organisation.
Key team principles:
1. Opening up when in possession of the ball.
2. Play between the lines.
3. Break lines.
Key individual principles:
1. Head up.
2. Body profile.
3. Oriented first touch with the back foot.
Practice 1: Cone jungle dribble.
Aim of practice: Dribble the ball under control.
Training load: Three sets of four minutes each. Rest for two minutes between sets.
Total duration: 18 minutes.
Area of practice: Fifteen yards by fifteen yards.
Description: The players dribble from one corner of the grid to the opposite without knocking the cones over or bumping into each other. The ball is then taken over by the player next in line in the opposite corner.
Rules: No bumping into other player or knocking the cones over.
Variations:
1. Start with only two players dribbling simultaneously and with no cones. Then the players get used to the practice progress to four.
2. Start with two players dribbling simultaneously and with just a few cones.
3. Progress to four players dribbling simultaneously and increase the number of cones.
Key performance outcomes:
Head up.
Spatial awareness.
Be light on balls of feet.
Apply many quick touches on the ball.
Use both the left and right foot to control the ball.
P.S. Perform mobility and dynamic stretching exercises during the two minutes rest periods between sets.
Figure 1 - Players dribble from position A to position A or from position B to position B.
Practice 2: 3v2 to 3v2 simulated situation.
Aim of practice: To score with accurate finishing on goal.
Training load: Four sets of two minutes each interspersed with one minute of rest.
Total duration: 12 minutes.
Area of practice: Twelve yards by ten yards.
Description: Two teams aim to score in the opponents' two mini-goals while defending theirs. Both teams are aided by the neutral flank players who play for the team in possession of the ball.
Rules: When the ball goes out of play or a goal is score the team in possession restarts the attack from their own goal line.
Key performance outcomes:
Body profile.
Oriented control.
Play forward.
Third man concept
Figure 2 - The area can be enlarged to increase the success rate of the players.
Practice 3: Positional Game 4v4+3.
Aim of practice: To score with accurate finishing on goal.
Training load: Four sets of three minutes each interspersed with one minute of rest.
Total duration: 15 minutes.
Area of practice: Forty two yards in length by twenty five yards in width.
Description: Two teams; one attacks and the other defends the regular goalpost. If the defending team wins the ball they counter on the two mini-goals. Both teams are aided by three neutral players when in possession of the ball. The neutral players are positioned one at each flank and one in the inside space. The neutral players are allowed to attack the inside spaces if the situation is on.
Rules: The edge of the penalty area is the offside line. This rule also applies to the neutral players. The ball may be passed or dribbled behind this line where a 1v1 situation with the goalkeeper takes place. The attacking team can only score from inside this zone.
Variation: Two attackers and a defender may follow into the penalty area.
Key performance outcomes:
Body profile.
Oriented first touch.
Play forward.
Play between the lines.
Third player concept.
Figure 3 - The aim in this 4v4+3 Positional Game is to create scoring opportunities with vertical and diagonal passes.
Practice 4: Small Sided Game 4v4+3.
Aim of practice: To score with accurate finishing on goal.
Training load: Four sets of four minutes each interspersed with two minutes of rest.
Total duration: 22 minutes.
Area of practice: Sixty yards in length by thirty five yards in width.
Description: Two teams each formed by six outfield players and a goalkeeper. They defend one goalpost and attack the opposite. Play takes place inside the central zone except when the ball is played to the final scoring zone.
Rules: Goals only count if the ball is passed or dribbled into the final scoring zone. Once the ball is played in this zone, the attacker is in a 1v1 situation with the goalkeeper.
Variation: Two attackers and a defender may follow into this zone.
Key performance outcomes:
Body profile.
Oriented control with the back foot.
Play forward.
Play between the lines.
Break lines.
Third man concept.
Figure 4 - The scoring zones may be removed for the final sets so to play a global game.
Cool down: Players perform light exercises with the ball such as juggling or dribbling and which is then followed by static stretching exercises.
Duration: 10 minutes.
By Philip Cauchi
