Session #5: Introduction to Passing & Control (Open the Curtains & Breaking the Line by Placing Yourself Behind the Curtains)

Printable pdf: U9-U12 L2T Player Development Sessions #5

Introductory Game
2v2 – Transition with three additional players
Area: 15×15 or smaller

– A – 1. Attack quickly, 2. Overlap or pen run behind defender, 3. Dribble to least protected side of both defenders pulled across.
– D – 1. Drop Down and defend goal first, 2. Closest player to the ball close down. 

Technical Exercise
Area: 15×15 or smaller

Free Dribble
– Touch every step. MAKE THE BALL MOVE SIDE TO SIDE.
– Rolls and rolls with step over with opposite foot.

CAN YOU ROLL BALL BACK UNDER BODY TOWARD STANDING FOOT.REVIEW TURNS: Stop Turn and Cruyff Turn ….. must to become STOCK TURNS which all of our players have mastered.

INTRODUCE or Review: Zidane and Triangle Turns (drag back with hop and open up)

GAG – 2v2
Area: 15×15 or smaller

– A – 1. Attack quickly, 2. Overlap or pen run behind defender, 3. Dribble to least protected side of both defenders pulled across.
– D – 1. Drop Down and defend goal first, 2. Closest player to the ball close down.WITH THE THIRD PLAYER, ONE PLAYER DROPS TO HELP KEEP POSSESSION (IN FRONT OF DEFENDERS) AND THE OTHER CAN TRY TO PENETRATE (BEHIND THE DEFENDERS)…..THERE SHOULD BE A FOCUS ON “HOW DOES YOUR MOVEMENT INFLUENCE THE DEFENDERS?”

Final Game
Area: 15×15 or smaller

– Defending – Drop Down and Closest Player to the Ball Close Down.
– Attacking – Possession Options, Penetrative Options, Get in Curtains to BREAK A LINE, Attack Least Protected Space.

Passing with Visual Awareness
Area: 15×15 or smaller

– 2 balls for every six players in the area, two touch and cannot play the same ball twice in a row.
– VISUAL AWARENESS. “What is visual awareness?”
– “Most information comes in through eyes so as we pass can you be looking around as you move for players in your group, players in the other group, the ball, and where you are on the field?”
– “Find spaces between players, CURTAINS to pass through, BREAK IMAGINARY LINES”
– “Can you be looking side to side and see if you can use players as the frame of the window, if that frame gets too small can you move to a larger one?”
– May have to go to passing in twos for a few minutes to discuss passing technique basics….shoulders back, hips forward, STEP BACKWARDS (foot down behind you) after every pass.
– This is a repeat of last week but need to use this as foundation for future introductory exercises.