By Sean Reed -
Objective
These sessions are working on the player’s ability to switch focus from one action to the next from an attacking movement to a defending movement and from a defending movement to an attacking movement. Once they perform one action how quickly can the player refocus and turn their attention on what is required next.
Session 1
Diagram 1
Set Up
- The players are split into two teams. They are working within a 1v1 situation
- Using two small goals, the balls are split each end
- The pitch is 40yds long with an area of 5x5yds in set up in the middle of the pitch
- Both teams set up by the side of the goal they are defending. The game starts with a player from one team in the middle area (defending). The other team starts with the ball on the goal line (attacking)
- The player (attacking) starting with the ball will dribble as quickly as possible toward the middle area, once they have reached that area they can take a shot (the player must shoot within the area).
- Once the player (attacking) starts dribbling, the player in the middle area (defending) can recover back toward their goal. This player is looking to block the shot taken by the attacking player (using any body part)
- Once the attacking player has shot they then have to defend (recover back toward their goal). A player from the other team then starts dribbling toward the middle area to get their shot off
- This continues back and forth for either a set number of turns or a period of time
Progression
- The player defending can not use their hands to block the shot
Coaching Points
- 1st touch when dribbling, using the space
- Set-up for the shot within the middle area (hitting the target)
- Speed and type of movement to recover when defending
- Focus on the next action, selecting what is relevant and important
Session 2
Diagram 2
[wpsharely id="1204"][/wpsharely]
Set Up
- The players are split into two teams. They are working within a 1v1 situation
- Two goals either end with GK in each goal
- The pitch is 40yds long with one mannequin opposite team, which they will be shooting from (just outside the near post). The mannequins approx 10-15yds apart from each other
- Both teams set up by the side of the goal they are defending
- One team will start the practice by a player dribbling toward their mannequin. They must shot from the outside and just past the mannequin
- Once they have shot a player from the opposite team can then start dribbling towards their mannequin to shoot. The player who has just shot has to recover and try to block / defend his opponents shot
- The player defending must run back round the mannequin when recovering to block
- This continues back and forth for either a set number of turns or a period of time
Progression
- The player attacking can shoot from either side of the mannequin
Coaching Points
- 1st touch when dribbling, using the space
- Set-up for the shot past the mannequin
- Speed and type of movement to recover when defending
- Focus on the next action selecting what is relevant and important
- Being brave to block the shot, using their body
Session 3
Diagram 3
Set Up
- The players are split into two teams. They are working within a 1v1 situation
- Two goals either end with GK in each goal
- One team starts on the side next to 2x mannequins which are 5yds apart
- The other team starts on the side of the goal they are defending
- The practice always starts with the team on the side. The player plays a pass from the 1st mannequin into the GK, then moves around the 2nd mannequin to receive the ball back, takes a touch for a shot on goal (approx 16-18yds out)
- Once the player has shot, a player from the opposite team then dribbles towards the goal and they are then attacking creating a 1v1
- The 1v1 stops when either a goal is scored, ball is out of play or the ball is in the GK’s hands
- This continues for a number of turns for each player (for example 3x each). Then the teams switch
Progression
- Starting from the other side of the pitch
- The 1v1 does not finish until a goal or the ball is out of play
- Develop into a 2v2
Coaching Points
- 1st touch when dribbling, using the space
- Set-up for the shot when combining with GK
- Weight of pass from the GK
- Speed and Type of Movement when turning to defend
- Focus on the next movement, selecting what is relevant and important
- Defending 1v1 forcing the player onto their weaker side, away from the goal. Patient with defending
- Attacking 1v1 positive, taking the shot when possible
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
