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TACTICS

Soccer Coaching Packs

5 ready made coaching sessions

SmartSessionsReady made soccer coaching plans

Between the linesThis session is designed to improve playing between the

lines. This means getting players and passes into the

spaces created by the opponent’s chosen formation.

What you tell your players the session is about

What to think about

1. Improving awareness of space.

2. Improving forward passing.

3. Improving attacking play.

Warm up Session Developments Game Warm down

10 mins 15 mins 15 mins 15 mins 5 mins

Warm-up

The session

Development

Game

Warm-down

Activity Kit Outcome

Session planner

You can cause real problems for the opposition by

placing players between the lines of the opponent’s

midfield and defence. The defenders will not know

whether to come forward and mark the players

which can leave a forward free to receive a pass.

And the opponent’s midfielders will not want to drop

deep as this will leave your midfielders free.

Players that play in these zones are often the most

exciting players to watch (Rooney, Joe Cole, Messi

etc.

Where it fits

Soccer coaching plans you can take straight on to the field www.bettersoccercoaching.com

Players make forward passes through the space between the cones

Playing through opponents

Playing through the opponents to score a goal

Better game awareness of the lines in the opponents formation

Gentle jogging and stretching exercises

Individual skills: Passing and receiving,

movements off the ball, communication,

dribbling, shooting

Team skills: Team work, communication,

combination play, group attacking and defending

#40 gates pairs

Balls, cones

Goals, balls, cones

Goals, balls, cones

n/a

Tactics

direction of run pass

dribble

Set-up

Three teams of three players.

One team work as the neutrals with one player on

each end line and one in the middle.

The aim of this game is to combine with your team

mates and the neutral player in order to get the ball

from one end to the other.

• 50 x 30 yard area.

What you get your players to do

What to call out

Between

the lines

The shaded areas show the spaces between the lines in a 4-4-2 formation.

The white team pass the ball from one end to the other to score a goal.

www.bettersoccercoaching.com

Game situation

Play a normal game.

Encourage players in possession to make forward

passes.

Encourage players not in possession to play on the

half-turn with open shoulders, this will enable them

to see space on the pitch.

Development

Now play a small-sided game where each team

has three attackers and three defenders.

When the defenders are in possession, one of

their team’s attackers must pull into the free zone

in order to receive a pass beyond the opponent’s

attackers but in front of its defence.

Now the player is free to turn and attack to score.

• “Open your shoulders and look for space”

• “Try to pass forward”

• “Try to move behind the opponents”

The white defenders pass between the lines to a white attacker who turns to dribble forward.


The switch gameThe “switch game” has a number of small-sided games

crammed into one simple pitch.

This type of multi-pitch allows the maximum playing

time for your players and lets you develop their range of

skills, techniques and tactics.


What to think about

1. Improving game awareness.

2. Applying simple game tactics.

3. Mental development through coping with different

games.



Warm-up

The session

Development

Game

Warm-down


Session planner

Each side of the pitch has a target requiring teams

to find a different way of scoring. This forces the

teams to employ different tactics:

• The two mini goals will force players to switch play in order to find the free goal to score.

• The end zone forces the teams to dribble the ball forwards.

• The passing targets force the team to play out of defence and pass forwards.

• The big goal combines the dribbling, passing forward and switching play with shooting skills.

Where it fits


Footwork exercises to improve speed and movement

Each game is played for 3 minutes with a 1 minute break.The players are now aware of the game and the rules

On the coach’s call of switch, games become random as the team’s change their targets

Normal game


Individual skills: Game awareness, passing,

dribbling, shooting, communication, movement

skills, defending, control

Team skills: Communication, co-operation / team

work, defending, attacking

#25 continuous ladders

Balls and cones, goal, mini goals, poles / mannequins

Balls and cones, goal, mini goals, poles / mannequins

Balls and cones and goals

n/a

Tactics

2 goals

1 goal passing targets

end zone

whites attack passing targets greys attack 1 goal

whites attack end zone greys attack 2 goals

Set-up

The teams play 4, 3-minute games with a 1 minute

break in between.

In each game the teams are attacking and

defending different targets, requiring different

methods of scoring. The teams have to employ a

new tactic in each game to be successful.

The goalkeeper is used in each game. If a team is

defending the big goal, then the goalkeeper plays

for this team. However, if no team is attacking the

big goal, then the goalkeeper plays as a neutral

player and gives the team in possession a one

player advantage.

• 30 by 30 yard area.

• If you don’t have mannequins or access to 3 goals, mark them out with cones or kit bags

instead.


What to call out

The switch game

The initial set up of the 30 by 30 yard pitch with targets.

The grey team attack the big goal while the white team attack the passing targets.

On your call of “switch”, the teams rotate left, the grey team now attack the two mini goals and the white team attack the end zone.


Game situation

Play a normal game. The tactics learnt in the switch

game should be applied in the normal game.

Development

Rather than playing for a set amount of time you

can call “switch” at any point in the game. The

teams must quickly switch the game they were

playing and rotate to defend the scoring line to

their left.

• “How can you score?”

• “Switch”

• “React to the next game”


The target man“Target man” is the term used to describe a centre

forward who is able to hold the ball under pressure and

then pass back to supporting players. This session

includes three simple practices to develop target players.


What to think about

1. Developing the use of a target man.

2. Bringing team mates into the game.

3. Making forward runs and passes into the final

third of the pitch.



Warm up

The session

Development

Game

Warm down


Session planner

In every game, your team will spend a period of time

under pressure and defending their goal. Therefore,

when the ball is cleared it’s important that you have

forwards that can hold on to the ball, allowing team

mates to get up the pitch.

Where it fits


Players pass and go to another ball. From The Ultimate Warm-Ups Manual, exercise 73

The target man holds up play in order to set up the midfielder for a shot at goal

The players are making forward passes and runs to support the target man

The target man holds off the defender and brings the midfielder into the game


Individual skills: Passing, control, turning,

shooting, strength to hold off the defender

Team skills: Communication, combination play

Balls

Balls, cones, goals

Balls, cones, goals

Balls, cones, goals

n/a

Tactics

direction of run pass shot

2v1

Set-up

The players make a forward pass into the target

man who must hold the ball, wait for the players to

make a supporting run and then lay the ball off for

the player to shoot at goal.

The target man must ensure he follows in the shots

for any rebounds off the goalkeeper.

• Create a 60 yards by 40 yards area with a goal at either end.

• Split the playing area into three zones by creating end zones 15 yards from both goals.


What to call out

The targetman


Game situation

While still playing a small-sided game, place a

defender in each end zone.

The target man must hold off the defender and

keep the ball until a midfielder runs into the end

zone to make a 2v1 situation.

Finally, play a normal game.

Development

In a small-sided game, each team nominates a

target man that goes inside the opponents’ end

zone. The remaining players play an even numbers

game in the central zone.

The aim of this game is for players to make a

forward pass into the target man and then run into

the end zone to receive a lay off and shoot at goal.

Defenders can track back with the midfielder to try

and block the shot.

• “Show yourself as a target”

• “Hold the ball and wait for support”

• “Bring team mates into the game”

The midfielders must pass to the target man and run into the end zone to receive a pass and shoot at goal.

The target men now have defenders marking them. Can they still hold on to the ball? Can a midfielder make a forward run and create a 2v1?

After receiving a pass, the target man must set up the supporting midfielder for a shot at goal.


Squeeze and stretch


What to think about

1. Regaining possession to counter attack.

2. Passing into the space behind the defence.

3. Developing the forward’s role in the team.



Warm up

The session

Development

Game

Warm down


Session planner

• Do your players recognise the opportunity to exploit the space behind the defence after

regaining possession?

• Can the players look to play the ball into this space?

• If not, can they pass to the forwards? Can a midfielder look to make a supporting run behind

the defence?

• Ensure the goalkeeper has a realistic starting position.

Where it fits


Players are passing the ball at top speed. From The Ultimate Football Warm-Ups Manual, exercise 90

The midfielders pass into the space behind the defence for the forward to run on to

Regaining the ball and passing early into the space behind the defence, or into the forward’s feet

On regaining possession, quicker passes are played into the forwards


Individual skills: Defending skills, passing,

movement off the ball, shooting, hold up play

Team skills: Defending as a team,

communication, movement off the ball,

combination play in attack

Ball

Balls, cones, goal and poles or mannequins

Balls, cones, a goal and poles or mannequins

Balls, cones and a goal

n/a

Defenders often squeeze high up the pitch when their

team is attacking. If your players can stop an attack, they

have the opportunity to capitalise on the space behind

the opposition defence. The key is in the quality of the

forward pass and movement from your attackers to

break the offside trap.

Tactics

direction of run passrun with ball shot

35yards

25yards

30 yards

35yards

25yards

30 yards

1 2

3

Set-up

Have your defenders, or mannequins, 35 yards to

40 yards from goal.

The server passes the ball into the midfielder, who

must take a quick touch to receive and then play

a pass behind the defence (mannequin) for the

forward to run on to.

Forwards must ensure they disguise their runs and

stay onside in order to get in behind the defence

and score.

Create a 60 yards 40 yards playing area.


What to call out

Squeeze and stretch


Game situation

Play a normal game with the following rule. On

regaining possession, players must immediately

look to pass to one of their forwards – whether in

the space behind the defence, or into the forward’s

feet.

Development

• Include a 25 yards by 30 yards grid within the larger playing area for the development.

• Develop these skills in a small-sided game starting in the smaller playing area.

• The white team attempt to keep possession in the small area (second picture right).

• If the grey team win possession it looks to play a quick pass beyond the opposition defence for

their forward to run on to and shoot.

• Develop further by instructing the forward to receive the ball to feet, forcing a midfielder to

make run behind the defence to add a new

attacking option (third picture right).

• “React to winning possession”

• “Look to pass into the space behind the defence”

• “Look to run into the space behind the defence”

The grey team dispossesses the white team and play their forward behind the defence.

The grey team now plays into the forward’s feet and a midfielder runs in behind to receive a pass and score.

The midfielder plays a quick pass behind the defence for the forward to run on to and score.


Three zone attack


What to think about

1. Improving team attacking

2. Gaining half a yard to shoot at goal.

3. Dribbling into the final third of the pitch.

4. Making forward runs off the ball.



Warm up

The session

Development

Game

Warm down


Session planner

The three games look to improve the team’s variety

of attacks.

• Game 1 improves the players’ ability to find half a yard and shoot from the edge of the penalty

area. It also improves other players’ reactions to

attacking or defending a rebound.

• Game 2 allows players the chance to show disguise by pretending to shoot, and then use

skill to beat a defender and dribble into the

penalty area to score.

• Game 3 develops the attack as players find space to shoot or dribble. Now they pass the

ball and look to make forward runs beyond the

defence to receive a return pass and shoot.

Where it fits


Individual skills: Shooting, passing, dribbling,

running off the ball, clever play

Team skills: Combination play, movement off

the ball, communication

Balls

Balls, cones, bibs and two goals Balls, cones, bibs and two goals Balls, cones, bibs and two goals n/a

This session improves your team’s attacking play

through a series of small-sided games. These take place

on a pitch divided into three playing zones, allowing you

to set different conditions for the players to create goal

scoring chances.

Improved movement skills and speed changes. From The Ultimate Football Warm-Ups Manual, exercise 87 Players are now shooting at every opportunity and reacting to rebounds Players are dribbling and beating defenders to score Players are now passing to the forward and making supporting runs to score Gentle jogging and stretching exercises

Tactics

player movement pass

run with ball shot

1v1

Set-up

This game is played in the central zone. Players

must pass quickly or use skill to gain half a yard

before shooting.

The range of shots will be from between 18

yards and 36 yards, so players will be working on

shooting from distance.

When a shot is on target, one defender and one

attacker may run into the end zone to deal with

rebounds.

Create a 54 yards by 30 yards playing area, divided

into three 18 yards by 30 yards zones. Have a

goal at either end with goalkeepers. Divide outfield

players into 5v5.


What to call out

Three zone attack


Game situation

Remove the defender and place a forward in each

end zone. Players can now shoot from the central

zone, show disguise and dribble, or pass to the

forward and make a supporting run to receive a

return pass in order to shoot.

Development

Progress the game by placing a defender in each

team’s end zone. Players can now shoot from the

central zone or dribble into the end zone to create

a 1v1 with the defender.

This game will provide the attacker with the option

of pretending to shoot before showing disguise

and dribbling into the end zone to score.

• “Be clever with your movement.”

• “Find a half yard and shoot.”

• “Pass quickly to disorganise the defence.”

Players can either shoot or dribble out of the central zone for a 1v1 with the defender in the end zone.

Passes are made to the target forward, who looks for a support player. This forward runner receives a pass and shoots.

Players look to create space for a shot from the central zone. An attacker and defender can enter the end zones to contest rebounds.

tactics - soccer coach weeklytactics soccer coaching packs 5 ready made coaching sessions...

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