U17 Dominating Possession To Exploit Space
U17 Dominating Possession To Exploit Space
POSSESSION TO
EXPLOIT SPACE
AG E P H AS E : U 1 7 +
SESSION PLAN
SESSION OVERVIEW DOMINATING POSSESSION TO EXPLOIT SPACE
Mini-goal
Mannequin Pole
Football
FUNCTION 1 N A
20 metres
make 20 passes, they are awarded one point.
• The out-of-possession team (Team B) starts on the B
B
inside and attempts to win the ball back.
N
• Two neutral players (N) start in the centre of the B
pitch, and two more start on the outside – as shown in A A
B
Diagram 1. They play for whichever team has the ball
• Diagram 1 shows the out-of-possession team winning
the ball. Once they do this, they become the possession
A N
team and move to the outside of the playing area; the
possession team become the defending team and move 30 metres
inside. This is shown in Diagram 2.
B A B
A
B N
COACHING DETAIL:
IN POSSESSION
AWARENESS POSITIONING
• This practice tests players’ ability to scan and identify • When the player on the ball has time and space in
where to play next. possession, the supporting players can play on the
• Players should be encouraged to look around before shoulder of their marker or slightly higher. This will
receiving. This will help them to identify what action allow a pass to break the line of the pressing player.
they should try next, and also allow them to play off • Once the player on the ball is pressed, the support
limited touches to increase the speed of play. players have to adjust their position. They should play
as high as they can while still being able to receive with
BACK-FOOT RECEIVING their back foot.
• Players’ ability to receive with their back foot will be • Understanding what type of pressure is on the player in
tested by this practice. If the player maintains a body possession will allow the players to position themselves
shape from which they can receive a pass diagonally, consistently in areas that allows them to keep the ball
this will help them naturally receive with their back foot. and have forward passing options.
• Players need to be able to receive on their back foot
to be able to move the ball away from pressure quickly
and open passing lines forward.
PASS DETAIL
• Pass detail is important in this practice. The weight,
accuracy and timing of pass are all vital to changing
the point of the attack. Players should also pass to their
teammate’s back foot, to enable them to move the ball
away from pressure quickly.
FUNCTION
A
• This is a 9v9 (including goalkeepers) possession-based A
breakout game. The pitch is 45m x 65m and has two
B
end zones of 45m x 15m, as shown in the diagram.
• The teams are set up in different formations. Team A
plays in a 3-2-3 shape, and Team B in a 4-1-2-1. All A
outfield players start in the central zone, as shown. B
• The ball starts with the in-possession team – here, B
45 metres
Team A – who have to make at least 10 passes before
A B A
they can break out of the central zone and play in a B
single attacker to take a shot on goal.
• No defenders can recover into the end zone once the B B
attacking team have broken out to attack. A
• If the out-of-possession team wins possession, they are A
allowed to counter-attack into the opposite end zone
B
straight away.
• Once the in-possession team wins back possession
once more, they have to make 10 passes again before
A
they attack to goal.
• The in-possession team is the team that receives the
ball from the server at the start of a phase of play.
15 metres 35 metres 15 metres
PATIENCE IN POSSESSION
• When a team is in possession, they should look
to maintain possession through making passes or
individuals staying on the ball.
• Being patient in possession, and using the whole pitch
to maintain possession, will unbalance the opposition
and create space that can be exploited to create
goalscoring chances. Fast support play will aid this
aspect of the practice.
FORWARD RUNS
• When the team is looking to increase the tempo of the
game, they must have players making forward runs.
These forward runs will allow the team to break out of
the central zone and create chances to score.
FUNCTION
A
• This is a 9v9 (including goalkeepers) game with the A
emphasis on dominating possession before scoring. The
B
pitch is 45m x 65m and has a halfway line for offsides.
• The teams are set up in 3-2-3 (Team A) and 4-1-2-1
(Team B) formations, as shown in the diagram. B A A
• The ball starts with the in-possession team – here,
B B
Team A – who should attempt to score.
45 metres
• The number of passes a team makes before scoring will
result in that number of points being awarded to the A B
team. For example, scoring after a move of 15 passes = B
15 points. B A
• If either team wins the ball and scores without making
any passes, they are awarded one point.
• If the defending team wins it at any point, they attempt
B A
to score as quickly as possible.
A
DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE
• Any goal that is scored from winning possession in the
65 metres
final third is automatically awarded two points.
COMMITTING PLAYERS
• When the in-possession team is keeping the ball, they
should attempt to commit players.
• This can be done by staying on the ball and baiting
the opponent to press them, or driving directly at an
opponent before offloading the ball to a teammate.
• Doing this eliminates defensive players from the game
and creates space that can be exploited to score.
RUTHLESS FINISHING
• Once a team has changed the tempo of the game
and created a scoring chance, the players should be
encouraged to be ruthless in front of goal.
• Finding the corners with firm shots will make it hard for
the goalkeeper to make saves.
• Taking chances early will also make it hard for the
goalkeeper to be set; this will give the shooting player
more chance of scoring.