By Chris Kouns
USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Women’s Soccer Coach – Georgia Gwinnett College
In these activities we are working on passing combinations in the final third. Activities may also incorporate aspects of finishing and movement off the ball.
Set Up:
There will be five gates open in the final 35 yards of the field. There is a single vertical gate in the middle of the field where the two players working will begin the activity. Then, on each side of the 18 yard box there will be two gates set up for specific types of passing combination opportunities. There will be a “gatekeeper” at each gate (except for the central gate as there will be two there to start both players)
Instructions:
The two players at the central starting gate are facing through the gate to the “gatekeeper” on the opposite side. On the coaches command players will play a diagonal ball through the starting gate to the opposite gatekeeper. Then they will make a bent run around the gate where the gatekeeper will return a quick pass into their path. On their first touch they should then play a diagonal ball through the next gate and follow the ball with a vertical sprint into the 18 yard box. That gatekeeper will play a give and go ball which the runner should hit on an angle through the third gate. They will then bend their run to the far post where a slotted ball to the six yard box will be played for them to finish. *Both players will be completing the pattern at the same time but on opposite sides.
Coaching Points:
- Body position of gate keepers should allow them to play first time passes into the path of the runner
- Runner should look at their body placement to decide is their pass to start the next combination should be with the outside, inside or laces of their foot
- All players should focus their combination passing on placement in front of the runner so as not to slow the combination
- Help players understand why specific runs and passes would be useful in those parts of the field
Double Combo Finish
Set Up:
Across the top of the box place cones or flags to represent defenders covering the central part of the goal. On the inside corners of the 18 yard box you will place a marker for the two deep lying players to set up to receive a combination pass.
Instructions:
On top of the 18 yard “D” will be two players facing each other. The one with a ball will dribble forward and the one without a ball will sprint towards them for a takeover. Once they perform the takeover they will play a diagonal ball to a deep player on the end line, who will return a one touch driven diagonal ball to the six yard box for a finish.
Variations
- Players can be given a number of balls to be responsible to combine and finish with (ex: 5 balls per player). Then you can tally successful completion of combinations or even first one to complete five combinations.
Coaching Points:
- On the takeover at the top of the dribbler will be on the inside so their body is between the “defenders” and the person who will be taking the ball
- Players must not cross (dribbler and taker) or else they will hit each other and will not be able to read when to take the ball
- Do not try to pass the ball on the takeover, simply lift your foot and step over the ball in a running motion so the other player can pick it up easily
- The first touch of the takeover must be explosive to take advantage of the misdirection and the next touch should be the diagonal ball to the end line passer
- End line passer must have body prepared for firm give and go that allows for a deflection into the goal
Combination Trinity
Set Up:
A player with a ball will be about 35 yards from goal. They will be facing a small gate with a “gatekeeper” and then there will be two additional combination players within the confines of the box.
Instructions:
The player with the ball will play a diagonal ball to the gatekeeper who is coming towards them through the gate. They will take a forward diagonal touch with the ball allowing the player who passed it to overlap them and then receive the ball back on the other side of the gate. The runner will then play a “third man” wall pass to the next option. That player will play the ball across the box to the third man who will receive it on the dribble coming across the box towards our runner. The runner will perform a takeover and then finish the ball after an explosive touch away from the takeover.
Variations
- Have the Wall pass returned to the runner who would then play the long pass to the player they will perform the takeover with
Coaching Points
- Pace of all combinations should show acceleration after the ball is played so as to gain separation from the defender
- With proximity of all three combinations work to limit passes to 1 touch and dribble pace of take over at full speed
- Make sure the overlap player takes a diagonal touch away from the overlap so they create space for the player to run into and get the ball
By Chris Kouns: USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Coach Georgia Gwinnet College Women’s Soccer (GA)
