LEAD IN PRACTICE - 20 MINS
Three teams blue, orange and red in three separate squares. Ball starts in one square look to get to 5 passes and switch the ball to the far square. Middle team send two players in at a time to try and press the ball and win it back. Each team has two minutes as middle team every ball won back is a point
Progress to rotating the middle team every time they win the ball back. End teams still trying to get to 5 passes and switch to far square
OPPOSED PRACTICE - 30 MINS
Blue team set up in 1-4-4 formation look to play out from the back beating the press and score in the mini goals
Red team set up in a 4-3 formation look to press ball from the front and win the ball back then try to score in main goal. Nearest player to the ball to close down quickly, pressure the ball and delay the attack, secondary player look to double up and provide cover and positioning to intercept/block. Communication needs to be clear, commanding and detailed
Progress from a goal kick start to coach passing the ball into defender, red team to press after first touch, progress to starting out of keepers hands, rotate teams after 15 mins
Primary units - front three, working on anticipating the pass and pressing early, close quickly and angle of approach
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
Under FutureFit, your Under-9s stay at 5v5, your Under-11s stay at 7v7 and your Under-13s stay at 9v9. Same pitch, same numbers, one more year. Here is how to make sure that year feels like a step forward rather than a repeat.
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The FA's FutureFit framework lands this season, bringing a 3v3 entry format at Under-7s. Here is what actually changes on a Saturday morning, and how to coach it well.