TITLE: PLAY/PRACTICE/PLAY TRAINING SESSION

GOAL: Improve building up in opponent's half in order to create chances U13+ / 11 v 11 / 18 players
PLAYER ACTIONS: Spread out, create passing options, change the point of attack MOMENT: Attacking
KEY QUALITIES: Decision-making, reading the game, initiative, proactive play, technical execution, focus DURATION: 90:00 min

1ST PLAY PHASE: Intentional Free Play

OBJECTIVE: To pass or dribble forward, create chances and score goals.

ORGANIZATION: Mark out two 30 x 20-yard fields, each with two goals. Divide players
into four teams. Teams play 4 v 4 or 5 v 5 including goalkeepers. Free play, kick-ins.
Play for 30 minutes with two breaks.

KEY WORDS: Use space, be open, switch, take opponents on

GUIDED QUESTIONS: 1) How do you cover space when you’re in possession? 2) What
can you do to get past the opponent and break through to the goal?

ANSWERS: 1) Make the field as wide as possible (spread out). 2) Tie up defenders by
dribbling at them, then pass to a teammate; switch the point of attack and pass the
ball out of pressure; show for through passes behind the defensive line.

NOTES: First break: Coach asks questions, players continue playing to discover
answers. Second break: Players share answers with coach and each other.

PRACTICE (Core Activity): 10 v 8 on Endline

OBJECTIVE: To move the ball forward and break through the last line of defense.

ORGANIZATION: Mark out a 50 x 80-yard field with a 30-yard-deep defensive zone.

Divide players into teams of 10 and 8 (Blue and Red). The attackers (Blue) play a 1–3–3–
3 formation, and the defenders (Red) play a 4–3–1. To score, Blue has to either dribble
across Red’s endline or successfully pass across it into a receiver’s path. Red can only
defend inside the defensive zone. If they win the ball, they counterattack on Blue’s
goal or goal lines. Play for 30 minutes with two breaks.

KEY WORDS: Use space, be open, switch the field, pass, dribble

GUIDED QUESTIONS: 1) How can you get through the defense? 2) Where can you get
through the defense? 3) What do you need to do to break through on the wings?

ANSWERS: 1) Pass or chip the ball into the end zone, or dribble into the end zone. 2) On
the wings or in the middle. 3) Draw opponents to one side, then switch the attack to
the other side.

PRACTICE (Less Challenging): 11 v 7 on Endline

OBJECTIVE: To move the ball forward and break through the last line of defense.

ORGANIZATION: Same as Core Activity, except teams play 11 v 7. Blue plays a 1–4–3–3,
and Red has a back four and three midfielders.

KEY WORDS: Use space, be open, switch the field, pass, dribble

GUIDED QUESTIONS: 1) How can you get through the defense? 2) Where can you get
through the defense? 3) What do you need to do to break through on the wings?

ANSWERS: 1) Pass or chip the ball into the end zone, or dribble into the end zone. 2) On
the wings or in the middle. 3) Draw opponents to one side, then switch the attack to
the other side.

NOTES: Start with the Core Activity and decide whether the level of challenge is
appropriate for the players. Switch to this Less Challenging activity if the Core
Activity is too difficult. Spend a total of 30 minutes in the Practice Phase.
 PRACTICE (More Challenging): 9 v 9 on Endline and Goal

OBJECTIVE: To move the ball forward and break through the last line of defense.

ORGANIZATION: Same as Core Activity, except Red also has a goal with goalkeeper.
Teams play 9 v 9. Red is still restricted to the defensive zone. If Blue breaks through,
all players follow to finish the game on Red’s goal.

KEY WORDS: Use space, be open, switch the field, pass, dribble

GUIDED QUESTIONS: 1) How can you get through the defense? 2) Where can you get
through the defense? 3) What do you need to do to break through on the wings?

ANSWERS: 1) Pass or chip the ball into the end zone, or dribble into the end zone. 2) On
the wings or in the middle. 3) Draw opponents to one side, then switch the attack to
the other side.

NOTES: Start with the Core Activity and decide whether the level of challenge is
appropriate for the players. Switch to this More Challenging Activity if the Core
Activity is too easy. Spend a total of 30 minutes in the Practice Phase.

2ND PLAY PHASE: The Game

OBJECTIVE: To pass or dribble forward, create chances and score goals.

ORGANIZATION: Mark out an 80 x 80-yard field. Divide players into two teams of nine.
Each plays a 1–4–3–1-formation. Play according to the Laws of the Game and the
standards of play found in the U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives. Play for 30
minutes including one “halftime” (5 minutes max).

KEY WORDS: Use space, be open, switch the field, pass, dribble

GUIDED QUESTIONS: 1) How do you cover space when you’re in possession? 2) What
can you do to get past the opponent and break through to the goal? 3) Where can you
get through the defense? 4) What do you need to do to break through on the wings?

ANSWERS: 1) Make the field as wide as possible (spread out). 2) Tie up defenders by
dribbling at them, then pass to a teammate; switch the point of attack and pass the
ball out of pressure; show for through passes behind the defensive line. 3) On the
wings or in the middle. 4) Draw opponents to one side, then switch the attack to the
other side.

Five Elements of a Training Activity Training Session Self-Reflection Questions

1. Organized: Is the activity organized in the right way? 1. How did you do in achieving the goals of the training session?

2. Game-like: Is the activity game-like?

3. Repetition: Is there repetition, when looking at the overall goal of the

session?

4. Challenging: Are the players being challenged? (Is there the right 2. What did you do well?
balance between being successful and unsuccessful?)

5. Coaching: Is there effective coaching, based on the age and level of

the players?

3. What could you do better?