Competition · 11v11

U14 Session: Week 2 (1 of 2)

13-14 Year Olds · Week 2 (1 of 2)

Midfield Combinations & Through Balls

Team A Team B Goalkeeper Joker (+1, always plays for the team with the ball) Ball Cone Pass Dribble Run Shot
Activity 1 Technical Warm-Up
6 10 8 9 9
Midfield Combination Passing Warm-Up
Setup: #6, #8, #10 inside the space, with #9 outside the space on each vertical end of the grid. Create various passing sequences where all 3 players touch the ball before it is played to a target, and then restart and repeat the pattern. #6 = Deep sitting midfielder; #8 = intermediate linking midfielder for #6/#10; #10 = advance midfielder. Possible patterns: #6-#10-#8-#9, #6-#8-#10-#9, #8-#6-#10-#9.
Goal: Three midfielders (#6, #8, #10) work various passing sequences inside the grid so that all 3 players touch the ball before it is played out to the target player #9. The group repeats each pattern continuously, focusing on weight, accuracy, and timing of every pass.

Coaching Points

  • Application of Technique (passing, dribbling, receiving) - Proper weight, accuracy, and angle of passes
  • Support of the ball - Timing, angle, and distance of support
  • Receiving/Control the pass - Open body shape, 1st touch into space (no pressure); 1st touch sideways/backwards away from pressure
Activity 2 Small-Sided Activity
40 yds 50 yds 6 8 9 10 4
5v5 to 4 Goals
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 40W x 50L. Position (2) goals on each side of the end line in the corner for a total of (4) goals. Play with #4,6,8,10,9. Red v White. Red & white score by passing/shooting the ball into the goal.
Goal: Both red and white teams try to score by passing or shooting the ball into any of the 4 corner goals. A team earns a point each time the ball crosses the line of a goal. Teams must use the midfield combination principles practiced in Activity 1 to create scoring chances.

Coaching Points

  • What: Supporting movements off of one another and #4,10
  • Passing - Accuracy, Timing, and weight of passes
  • Support of the ball - Timing, angle, and distance of support
  • Receiving/Control the pass - Open body shape, 1st touch into space (no pressure); 1st touch sideways/backwards away from pressure
Activity 3 Expanded Small-Sided Activity
60 yds 70 yds 6 8 10 9 3 4 2 GK
8v7 to Goal
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 60W x 70L. Place (1) goal on each end of the space to allow each team to score on 1 goal. Play with #1,2,3,4,6,8,10,9. Red v White. Red & White score by passing/shooting the ball into the goal.
Goal: Both red and white teams attack the goal at their end of the space, earning a point by passing or shooting the ball into the goal. The buildup begins when a team wins possession and advances forward when numbers are available in midfield.

Coaching Points

  • When: The buildup begins when in possession, and moves forward if there are numbers in midfield
  • Passing - Accuracy, Timing, and weight of passes
  • Support of the ball - Timing, angle, and distance of support
  • Receiving/Control the pass - Open body shape, 1st touch into space (no pressure); 1st touch sideways/backwards away from pressure
Activity 4 Game
Goal: Apply what you practiced today in a real game.

Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team. Reinforce all points above GK-3-2-3