Our 4th session is ALSO based on teaching FOOTWORK; AWARENESS and BODY POSITION and

TECHNIQUE..
Decision making is developing more now in terms of the Skill factor
Important we establish the need to teach awareness from the first session however simple it is
initially.
On each of these developments once the player has passed the ball that player MUST look to the
right, to the left, behind them and then to the ball coming back to them, so they are beginning to
develop their PERIPHERAL VISION.
This HAS to become a GREAT HABIT they do every second of every game; CONSTANTLY and
CONSISTENTLY.
Potentially this thinking part of the game, this incredibly “simple” LOOK; is THE most important
advance they need to add to their game.
Developing the LOOK and THINK of Soccer Awareness.
Introducing Transition play and switching the point of attack in a small sided game environment.
 Stations: Pass and Move and Change of Direction

Area: 30 x 30
Coaching Points:
1.Playing give and goes with different players each time
2.Angled support position to improve Peripheral vision
3.Good communication
4.Change of pace to get to a new player then relax and find a new
outside player to pass to
5.Quality of the pass in and the next pass
6.Finding a free outside player quickly means identifying a free player
BEFORE you get the ball then perhaps the player can make a one touch
pass for speed of transition and direction change
7.Other players in the circle act as defenders who “get in the way” so the
player receiving the ball must observe the other players positions in
advance of the ball also
8.The goal for everyone is to encourage players to pass and move but
also to develop their awareness and peripheral vision by playing one
touch if possible and if one touch is on to do so. Otherwise 2 touches
maximum
 Stations: Pass and Move and Change of Direction
Area: 30 x 30
Coaching Points:
1.Routine: Receiver inside moves to space to receive the ball from the
outside player
2.Receiver inside assesses next options BEFORE receiving the pass
3.Receiver has made the decision and passes the ball to another player
on the outside
4.Outside receiver observing the pass to him or her is already looking to
see who is supporting them BEFORE they receive the ball from the
inside passer
5.Example in the next diagram: (G) passes to (6) one touch, and (H) is
already supporting (6). (6) observes (H)’s supporting position and plays
the ball One touch to (H). (H) in supporting (6) has already looked to see
who is free next BEFORE receiving the pass of (6). And so the cycle
continues.
6.Timing of the pass and arriving in the support position are vital, not too
soon, not too late.
 Stations: Pass and Move and Change of Direction
8 players and 4
balls 3 11
A
C
8 9
E

B H D

6 F 10
G

7
2

Now passing and moving with the ball changing places. Challenge players to play one or to
touches therefore fast decisions on who is free on the outside is needed
 Stations: Pass and Move and Change of Direction
8 players and 4
balls 3 11

C
8 9
E D

F
B A

6 10
G
H

7
2

Example: (E) passes to (8) and (F) is already supporting the pass Before (8) receives it.
Players are always ANTICIPATING the next move before it happens
 Pass one touch around a set pattern. Pass one touch with 2 balls..

C A C A

E
E

D B D B

A simple passing warm up to get players on their toes. Play as quickly as possible to test each other. Ensure players open th eir bodies up
and have their feet prepared for the next pass. The ball gets back to (A) and (A) runs with the ball to the next cone and sta rts again.
 Pass one touch and follow your pass. Pass one touch and follow your pass
with 2 balls..

C A C A

E
E

D B D B

A simple passing and follow the pass warm up to get players on their toes. Play as quickly as possible to test each other. En sure players
open their bodies up and have their feet prepared for the next pass.
 Pass and stay; the pass always to the Good footwork and body position is
central player important

C A C A

E E

D B D B

Play one touch if possible take two touches if needed. Players stay in the same positions.
Rotate so each player has a turn in the middle. Player in the middle must keep changing their footwork and body positions. 10 x 10 yard
grid.
 This exercise is what the Barcelona thinking model of passing and
movement is built on.
Players start at 7 years old and use it right thru the ages; and even at
senior level it is a staple practice for the players.
Please read to understand the “attention to detail” required to do this
correctly.
Its not just a passing around the square game, it is so much more than
this.
We build it up to make it work with real pace and accuracy; as again; it
speeds up the mind and body in decision making. Unlimited touches to
begin
Area is 7 x 7 yard grid
 The Key Factor: Body position and foot (A) to (C), where (C) moves to the cone
preparation to receive with an open body stance
Run facing (D) & passes to (D)
Pass
A A
A

C C
B

E
E
C B B

D
D D

Players move to the cones to receive the pass. Moving left to right the player must position so they receive the ball
with the OUTSIDE / OPPOSITE foot. This opens their body position up to be able to either pass back or in a
different direction very easily and very quickly because they are already balanced and ready.
White players signifies their movement
 Pass and follow the pass play two (C) has to check back to receive from
touches maximum, one touch control; (A). Then (A) follows the pass and the
one touch pass. sequence continues

A
C A
B

E
E

D B C D

It seems a very simple idea; and it is; but it is the attention to detail that is paramount in the learning process.
The Ball must be passed around the square not across it. Players adjust their position based on the ball.
They use the cones as positional points of reference.
 (C) passes to (A) who checks back to Moving the body across forces to feet to
receive. At the same time (B) and (D) be in the correct position and forces the
check back too. body to open up
Run
Pass

C A A B

E
E

D B C D

So pass and follow pass to the right and you receive with the right foot and pass with the left foot, pass to the left you
receive with the left foot and pass with the right foot. You can also change direction.
EVERYTHING DONE AT PACE and with ACCURACY, with good COMMUNICATION required
1. A 2 v 2 game going to 4 goals. The team who scores stays on and must quickly defend the 2 new players coming in
(one from each goal that the opposition defends).
2. Instant transition with the same ball that the opponents scored with, here (3) and (4) are positioned to immediately bring
the ball the opponents’ may score with out to attack. The other two players (1) and (2) must get off the field ASAP.
3. Introduce a target player (can be coaches or players). Now it can be a 3 v 2 effectively.
Players can use the target to play give and goes with each other or with their immediate teammates.

Coaching Points Attacking:

a) Quick Break and counter attack
b) Switching the point of attack if another goal is more open Area: 15 x 10
c) Quick one and two touch passing
d) Positioning to open up passing lanes and getting between defenders to pass the ball in early
e) Creating 2 v 1 situations from a 2 v 2 set up and setting up a give and go.

Coaching Points Defending:

a) Instant pressure as possession changes (transition after scoring going from being an attacker to being a defender)
b) Regaining possession at the front with a scoring reward
c) Getting in front of the passing lanes to prevent the quick pass into the goal.
d) Working together with pressure and support, the support player supporting the first defender, stepping across and
covering the passing lane to the second goal and also keeping an eye on the 2nd attacker.

Transition Coaching Points:

Immediately the team that has been in possession of the ball and has scored then they must switch on mentally to being
defenders and high pressuring the new attacking team to try to win the ball back and score again.
 1 2 5 6

7
4
3

G
C H

A B E F

1. A 2 v 2 game going to 2 goals. The team who scores stays on and must quickly defend the 2 new players
coming in (one from each goal that the opposition defends).
2. Offside half way line. Instant transition with the same ball that the opponents scored with.
3. Players can use the target to play give and goes with each other or with their immediate teammates.
 1 2 5 6

4
D 7
8
3

G
C H

A B E F

1. Use the players in the goals to support. They have 1 or 2 touches only so they must play quickly.
2. Now it is essentially a 3 v 2. For the inside players start with unlimited touches then as they are successful
decrease the number to test their peripheral vision and awareness on and off the ball.
3. Always increasing the challenge each point of success is reached.
 1 2 5 6

7
4

8
3
D G

A B E F

1. This will really test the players imagination and awareness on and off the ball. In one instant (3) and (4) are
defending, in the next they are attacking. Likewise for the letters team.
2. Here we show how the mental transition works with each team suddenly changing their positions
defensively to deal with the change..