U11 - U14
Playing the longer pass
Area - Two 25 x 25 with 9 players and 3 soccer balls. Three players are positioned on each end line with three players in the middle of the playing area. The 3 balls are with an outside player and each ball is designated to one of the inside players.
1. The outside player with the ball passes to the inside player.
2. The inside player opens up their body and receives the ball on the back foot and passes to any player on the opposite side.
3. They then call for that same ball and perform the same exercise going the opposite way.
4. Switch the middle players.
Coaching points:
Players take a glance over their shoulder to look forward.
Receive the ball with an open body position and on the back foot.
Communication
Area – 40 x 40 with 9 players Split into three teams of 3. Each team has a ball. There is a 10 x 10 box inside the playing area. One player from each team is inside this box.
1.The middle player ‘checks’ and calls for the ball from their team mate. The ball is passed to the middle player who then passes long to the other team mate.
2.They now repeat the process by looking over their shoulder to find their team mate, receive the pass from the outside player and pass to the other team mate.
3.The outer team mate can move around the outer square. This makes the inside player perform the task of looking over their shoulder.
Variation:
Once the outside player passes the ball, they enter the 10 x 10 box and switch with their team mate once that team mate has passed the ball to the 3rd team mate.
Coaching points:
Open body position.
Glance over the shoulder to look for 3rd team mate.
Quality first touch on the back foot.
Quality long pass to 3rd team mates feet.
Area – 30 x 53 playing area with three zones. 14 players are shown. Split the teams into 6 players with two neutral players. Set up a 3v3 in the 25 yard area and a 2v2 in the 20 yard area (a 3v3 can be used in both areas if you have more players) The central zone is for the neutral players. All the players except the neutral players stay in their zones.
1. Play starts with a pass from the goalkeeper to a neutral player.
2. The neutral player now starts an attack for the reds. A 3v2 is played in the 20 x 30 zone.
3. If the dark team win the ball they can pass to the other neutral player to start the attack on the opposite goal where a 4v3 will be played.
4. If a goal is scored the goalkeeper starts the attack by throwing the ball to a neutral player.
Coaching points:
See the different ways in which the extra player can affect the game.
Play quickly
Look for the triangles
Get the players to play out of their ‘10 x 10 box’ Wider vision.
While defending the defenders must keep glancing at the two floating midfielders to see where they are on the field so when they win the ball they can find them with a quality pass.
Finish the session playing a scrimmage. Look for the team that can play the ball through the midfield.
Download the practice card
