Chris came across as a passionate and knowledgeable coach, I enjoyed the session and can see how it would benefit a group. It started off a as a basic passing session, and moved on to practice to improve team shape. The session had been tweaked due to size and player group so I have added some suggestions of how you could alter the session. My suggestions are in orange text.
SET UP
TECHNIQUE (UNOPPOSED)
First phase the team passes in sequence 1-2-3-4, very basic asking the team to work the ball from end to end as quickly as possible.
Second phase 1-2-4 then 4-3-1. So here the end player plays in to the nearest team mate who “misses” the next midfield and plays in to the end man. This repeated at the end, so you get a kind of rotation in the midfield.
Here the BLUE team play the third sequence 1-3-2-4 then 4-2-3-1. Here the end player (1) misses the nearest player (2) and plays into (3). He then then set (2) who plays into the end player (4).
Could you add a defender in to challenge 3 and 2. This way they would have to “think” how to work the ball from 1 to 4. You would look to remove the middle line so you create a 2v1 situation.
KEY COACHING POINTS
- Play quickly
- Body shape – angle of support
- Receive and pass with the inside of the foot
- 1 touch in the middle (2 and 3) where possible
- Make it competitive – Who can do it quickest?
SKILL (opposed)
Now the session progressed so the BLUES (both ends) worked the ball past the YELLOW, who were in a mid zone. Once again Hughton encouraged the players to move the ball quickly and shift it where possible. Naturally the players started to combine (as per skill section) to work the ball from end to end. This then moved on to 4v4v4.
If you were working with your midfield 3 defensively, you would encourage them to press as unit. I thought you could give the players a point system. If the ball goes end to end through the middle the BLUE team get 1 point, and 5 if it goes through the centre zone. This way you encourage the midfield to stay compact.
4v4v4
The 4v4v4 now made the practice more difficult for the BLUE team. He also encouraged the YELLOW team to press in their allocated zone, so as the ball shifted the relevant players pressed the ball. This meant the BLUE’s had to become more creative to work the ball end to end.
Could 1 of the YELLOW defenders “step out” into the BLUES zone to make it more competitive? This would be great to coach team shape (defensively).
SSG
Hughton then moved the session on to use the skill in a small sided game (SSG). The teams set up in a formation GK-3-1-1 and 2 target players. This encouraged the players to switch the ball to score. Both teams could score by passing in to the target or shooting past the keeper.
Hughton asked the players to work in their zones, perhaps they could be encourage to SUPPORT as they pass forward, this would increase the movement and realism.
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