Soccer

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TACTICS
5 ready made coaching sessions
 SmartSessions
Ready made soccer coaching plans
Tactics

Between What you tell your players

the lines the session is about
1. Improving awareness of space.
This session is designed to improve playing between the 2. Improving forward passing.
lines. This means getting players and passes into the
3. Improving attacking play.
spaces created by the opponent’s chosen formation.

Warm up Session Developments Game Warm down

Session planner 10 mins 15 mins 15 mins 15 mins 5 mins

Activity Kit Outcome

Warm-up #40 gates pairs Players make forward passes through the space
between the cones

The session Balls, cones Playing through opponents

Development Goals, balls, cones Playing through the opponents to score a goal

Game Goals, balls, cones Better game awareness of the lines in the opponents
formation

Warm-down n/a Gentle jogging and stretching exercises

Where it fits
Individual skills: Passing and receiving,
movements off the ball, communication,
dribbling, shooting
Team skills: Team work, communication,
combination play, group attacking and defending
What to think about
You can cause real problems for the opposition by
placing players between the lines of the opponent’s
midfield and defence. The defenders will not know
whether to come forward and mark the players
which can leave a forward free to receive a pass.
And the opponent’s midfielders will not want to drop
deep as this will leave your midfielders free.
Players that play in these zones are often the most
exciting players to watch (Rooney, Joe Cole, Messi
etc.

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 Set-up Between
• 50 x 30 yard area.
the lines
direction of run pass
dribble

What you get your players to do

Three teams of three players.
One team work as the neutrals with one player on
each end line and one in the middle.
The aim of this game is to combine with your team
mates and the neutral player in order to get the ball
from one end to the other.

What to call out The shaded areas show the spaces between
the lines in a 4-4-2 formation.
• “Open your shoulders and look for space”
• “Try to pass forward”
• “Try to move behind the opponents”

Development
Now play a small-sided game where each team
has three attackers and three defenders.
When the defenders are in possession, one of
their team’s attackers must pull into the free zone
in order to receive a pass beyond the opponent’s The white team pass the ball from one end to
attackers but in front of its defence. the other to score a goal.
Now the player is free to turn and attack to score.

Game situation
Play a normal game.
Encourage players in possession to make forward
passes.
Encourage players not in possession to play on the
half-turn with open shoulders, this will enable them
to see space on the pitch.
The white defenders pass between the lines to
a white attacker who turns to dribble forward.

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 SmartSessions
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Tactics

The switch What you tell your players

game the session is about
1. Improving game awareness.
The “switch game” has a number of small-sided games 2. Applying simple game tactics.
crammed into one simple pitch.
3. Mental development through coping with different
This type of multi-pitch allows the maximum playing games.
time for your players and lets you develop their range of
skills, techniques and tactics.

Warm up Session Developments Game Warm down

Session planner 10 mins 15 mins 15 mins 15 mins 5 mins

Activity Kit Outcome

Warm-up #25 continuous ladders Footwork exercises to improve speed and movement

The session Balls and cones, goal, mini Each game is played for 3 minutes with a 1 minute break.
goals, poles / mannequins The players are now aware of the game and the rules

Development Balls and cones, goal, mini On the coach’s call of switch, games become random as
goals, poles / mannequins the team’s change their targets

Game Balls and cones and goals Normal game

Warm-down n/a Gentle jogging and stretching exercises

Where it fits
Individual skills: Game awareness, passing,
dribbling, shooting, communication, movement
skills, defending, control
Team skills: Communication, co-operation / team
work, defending, attacking
What to think about
Each side of the pitch has a target requiring teams
to find a different way of scoring. This forces the
teams to employ different tactics:
• The two mini goals will force players to switch
play in order to find the free goal to score.
• The end zone forces the teams to dribble the
ball forwards.
• The passing targets force the team to play out
of defence and pass forwards.
• The big goal combines the dribbling, passing
forward and switching play with shooting skills.

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 Set-up The switch
• 30 by 30 yard area. game
• If you don’t have mannequins or access to 3
goals, mark them out with cones or kit bags
instead.

2 goals
What you get your players to do
The teams play 4, 3-minute games with a 1 minute
break in between. 1 goal passing targets

In each game the teams are attacking and

defending different targets, requiring different
methods of scoring. The teams have to employ a
new tactic in each game to be successful. end zone

The goalkeeper is used in each game. If a team is

defending the big goal, then the goalkeeper plays
for this team. However, if no team is attacking the The initial set up of the 30 by 30 yard pitch
with targets.
big goal, then the goalkeeper plays as a neutral
player and gives the team in possession a one
player advantage.

What to call out

• “How can you score?”
• “Switch”
• “React to the next game”
whites attack passing targets greys attack 1 goal

The grey team attack the big goal while the

Development white team attack the passing targets.

Rather than playing for a set amount of time you

can call “switch” at any point in the game. The
teams must quickly switch the game they were
playing and rotate to defend the scoring line to
their left.

Game situation
Play a normal game. The tactics learnt in the switch
game should be applied in the normal game.
whites attack end zone greys attack 2 goals

On your call of “switch”, the teams rotate left,

the grey team now attack the two mini goals
and the white team attack the end zone.

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Tactics

The target What you tell your players

man
“Target man” is the term used to describe a centre
forward who is able to hold the ball under pressure and
then pass back to supporting players. This session
includes three simple practices to develop target players.
the session is about
1. Developing the use of a target man.
2. Bringing team mates into the game.
3. Making forward runs and passes into the final
third of the pitch.

Warm up Session Developments Game Warm down

Session planner 10 mins 15 mins 15 mins 15 mins 5 mins

Activity Kit Outcome

Warm up Balls Players pass and go to another ball. From The Ultimate
Warm-Ups Manual, exercise 73

The session Balls, cones, goals The target man holds up play in order to set up the
midfielder for a shot at goal

Development Balls, cones, goals The players are making forward passes and runs to
support the target man

Game Balls, cones, goals The target man holds off the defender and brings the
midfielder into the game

Warm down n/a Gentle jogging and stretching exercises

Where it fits
Individual skills: Passing, control, turning,
shooting, strength to hold off the defender
Team skills: Communication, combination play
What to think about
In every game, your team will spend a period of time
under pressure and defending their goal. Therefore,
when the ball is cleared it’s important that you have
forwards that can hold on to the ball, allowing team
mates to get up the pitch.

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 Set-up The target
• Create a 60 yards by 40 yards area with a goal man
at either end.
direction of run pass shot
• Split the playing area into three zones by
creating end zones 15 yards from both goals.

What you get your players to do

The players make a forward pass into the target
man who must hold the ball, wait for the players to
make a supporting run and then lay the ball off for
the player to shoot at goal.
The target man must ensure he follows in the shots
for any rebounds off the goalkeeper.

After receiving a pass, the target man must set

up the supporting midfielder for a shot at goal.
What to call out
• “Show yourself as a target”
• “Hold the ball and wait for support”
• “Bring team mates into the game”

Development
In a small-sided game, each team nominates a
target man that goes inside the opponents’ end
zone. The remaining players play an even numbers
game in the central zone.
The midfielders must pass to the target man
The aim of this game is for players to make a and run into the end zone to receive a pass and
forward pass into the target man and then run into shoot at goal.
the end zone to receive a lay off and shoot at goal.
Defenders can track back with the midfielder to try
and block the shot.

2v1

Game situation
While still playing a small-sided game, place a
defender in each end zone.
The target man must hold off the defender and
keep the ball until a midfielder runs into the end
zone to make a 2v1 situation.
The target men now have defenders marking
Finally, play a normal game. them. Can they still hold on to the ball? Can a
midfielder make a forward run and create a 2v1?

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Tactics

Squeeze and What you tell your players

stretch the session is about
1. Regaining possession to counter attack.
Defenders often squeeze high up the pitch when their 2. Passing into the space behind the defence.
team is attacking. If your players can stop an attack, they
3. Developing the forward’s role in the team.
have the opportunity to capitalise on the space behind
the opposition defence. The key is in the quality of the
forward pass and movement from your attackers to
break the offside trap.
Warm up Session Developments Game Warm down
Session planner 10 mins 10 mins 20 mins 15 mins 5 mins

Activity Kit Outcome

Warm up Ball Players are passing the ball at top speed. From The
Ultimate Football Warm-Ups Manual, exercise 90

The session Balls, cones, goal and poles The midfielders pass into the space behind the defence
or mannequins for the forward to run on to

Development Balls, cones, a goal and Regaining the ball and passing early into the space
poles or mannequins behind the defence, or into the forward’s feet

Game Balls, cones and a goal On regaining possession, quicker passes are played
into the forwards

Warm down n/a Gentle jogging and stretching exercises

Where it fits
Individual skills: Defending skills, passing,
movement off the ball, shooting, hold up play
Team skills: Defending as a team,
communication, movement off the ball,
combination play in attack
What to think about
• Do your players recognise the opportunity to
exploit the space behind the defence after
regaining possession?
• Can the players look to play the ball into this
space?
• If not, can they pass to the forwards? Can a
midfielder look to make a supporting run behind
the defence?
• Ensure the goalkeeper has a realistic starting
position.

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 Set-up Squeeze and
Create a 60 yards 40 yards playing area. stretch
direction of run pass
run with ball shot
What you get your players to do
Have your defenders, or mannequins, 35 yards to
40 yards from goal.
The server passes the ball into the midfielder, who
must take a quick touch to receive and then play
a pass behind the defence (mannequin) for the
forward to run on to.
Forwards must ensure they disguise their runs and
stay onside in order to get in behind the defence
and score.

What to call out

The midfielder plays a quick pass behind the
• “React to winning possession” defence for the forward to run on to and score.
• “Look to pass into the space behind the
defence”
• “Look to run into the space behind the
defence”
35
yards
Development 3

2
• Include a 25 yards by 30 yards grid within the 1
25
larger playing area for the development. yards

• Develop these skills in a small-sided game

starting in the smaller playing area.
30 yards
• The white team attempt to keep possession in
the small area (second picture right). The grey team dispossesses the white team
and play their forward behind the defence.
• If the grey team win possession it looks to play
a quick pass beyond the opposition defence for
their forward to run on to and shoot.
• Develop further by instructing the forward to
receive the ball to feet, forcing a midfielder to
make run behind the defence to add a new 35
yards
attacking option (third picture right).

Game situation 25
yards
Play a normal game with the following rule. On
regaining possession, players must immediately
look to pass to one of their forwards – whether in 30 yards
the space behind the defence, or into the forward’s The grey team now plays into the forward’s feet
feet. and a midfielder runs in behind to receive a
pass and score.

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Tactics

Three zone What you tell your players

attack
This session improves your team’s attacking play
through a series of small-sided games. These take place
on a pitch divided into three playing zones, allowing you
to set different conditions for the players to create goal
scoring chances.
the session is about
1. Improving team attacking
2. Gaining half a yard to shoot at goal.
3. Dribbling into the final third of the pitch.
4. Making forward runs off the ball.

Warm up Session Developments Game Warm down

Session planner 10 mins 15 mins 15 mins 15 mins 5 mins

Activity Kit Outcome

Warm up Balls Improved movement skills and speed changes. From The
Ultimate Football Warm-Ups Manual, exercise 87

The session Balls, cones, bibs and Players are now shooting at every opportunity and reacting
two goals to rebounds

Development Balls, cones, bibs and Players are dribbling and beating defenders to score
two goals

Game Balls, cones, bibs and Players are now passing to the forward and making
two goals supporting runs to score

Warm down n/a Gentle jogging and stretching exercises

Where it fits What to think about
The three games look to improve the team’s variety
Individual skills: Shooting, passing, dribbling,
of attacks.
running off the ball, clever play
Team skills: Combination play, movement off
• Game 1 improves the players’ ability to find half
a yard and shoot from the edge of the penalty
the ball, communication area. It also improves other players’ reactions to
attacking or defending a rebound.
• Game 2 allows players the chance to show
disguise by pretending to shoot, and then use
skill to beat a defender and dribble into the
penalty area to score.
• Game 3 develops the attack as players find
space to shoot or dribble. Now they pass the
ball and look to make forward runs beyond the
defence to receive a return pass and shoot.

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 Set-up Three zone
Create a 54 yards by 30 yards playing area, divided attack
into three 18 yards by 30 yards zones. Have a
goal at either end with goalkeepers. Divide outfield player movement pass
players into 5v5. run with ball shot

What you get your players to do

This game is played in the central zone. Players
must pass quickly or use skill to gain half a yard
before shooting.
The range of shots will be from between 18
yards and 36 yards, so players will be working on
shooting from distance.
When a shot is on target, one defender and one
attacker may run into the end zone to deal with
rebounds. Players look to create space for a shot from
the central zone. An attacker and defender can
enter the end zones to contest rebounds.

What to call out

• “Be clever with your movement.”
• “Find a half yard and shoot.” 1v1

• “Pass quickly to disorganise the defence.”

Development
Progress the game by placing a defender in each
team’s end zone. Players can now shoot from the Players can either shoot or dribble out of the
central zone or dribble into the end zone to create central zone for a 1v1 with the defender in the
end zone.
a 1v1 with the defender.
This game will provide the attacker with the option
of pretending to shoot before showing disguise
and dribbling into the end zone to score.

Game situation
Remove the defender and place a forward in each
end zone. Players can now shoot from the central
zone, show disguise and dribble, or pass to the
forward and make a supporting run to receive a
return pass in order to shoot. Passes are made to the target forward, who
looks for a support player. This forward runner
receives a pass and shoots.

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