Breaking the Lines

DESCRIPTION

For this session we are tying to get the players to think about passing and moving, and the social aspects in particular.

Begin with a technique like accurate passing whilst moving between players.

Players in pairs to begin with, moving around and passing the ball to one another.

After they receive the ball, dribble a few metres, then pass back to partner.

Next, 2 balls between 6 players, 3 between 9 etc. Now the players must dribble and pass to any player who is "showing" and/or calling for the ball.

Then move on to passing and moving with only 2 balls between 6 or more players. Concentrate on communication, receiving the ball and turning, then dribbling with the ball before moving on to watching body signals from other players who want to receive the ball.

After that progress to trying to pass inbetween players (breaking the lines) to a receiving player after receiving and dribbling with the ball (no tackling, focus on passing).

Then move to a game in which these skills are emphasised, but now pressure and tackling are allowed. The focus should be on breaking the lines in all directions, either by dribbling or passing.

Create an end zone which may NOT be entered until the ball has entered it first.

COACHING POINTS

When you progress to fewer balls between all players, demonstrate how to take the ball whilst it is moving across the body, and get them to think about how a player's body position indicates he is ready to receive a pass, and what type of pass he wants to receive, which side of the body etc. Emphasise eye contact and/or talking to one another.

When the drill is progressed to "breaking the lines", explain that the lines are imaginary lines between other players and other players and the touch lines. Get the players with the ball to dribble across "lines", and to pass between "lines".

When the session is progressed to a game, ask the players to try to visualize the "lines" between players on the opposition, and to dribble or pass "through" those imaginary lines.

Ask the players to try plan in a group huddle how they will do this prior to starting the game.

Use the end zones to discourage standing around near the goals.

Emphasise that lines can be broken in all directions, but preferably forwards.