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The game model
The session is an example of our individualised program. It illustrates how we bring to life a player’s individual development plan and highlights how we use this to design specific practices for the individual. It’s focused on one player being successful in wide areas and fitting into our game model.
The session is an example of our individualised program. It illustrates how we bring to life a player’s individual development plan and highlights how we use this to design specific practices for the individual. It’s focused on one player being successful in wide areas and fitting into our game model.
We call this outplay and impact two zones.
Down the wing, we are looking at 1v1 duels and combination play; as we enter the final third, we work on movement, before progressing to link up play; heading into the box, we are entering the assist zone; in front of goal is the golden zone.
Through these zones, we look to explore, refine and execute the skills and techniques shown in the table.
Each session we run is then focused on elements of this table.
In this session, we are focusing on the 1v1 and combos, moving into the assist zone. From here we can link into one of our other attacking zones (finishing zone).
The foci of this session are highlighted in the table on the previous page.
This is a 40-minute session and purely with one player in this area we have no goalkeepers and maximum of five players in a group. It is important that even in small sessions it is specific and relevant to the geographical area of the pitch.
These sessions are periodised around the team sessions: at least two out of the five training sessions a week are tailored in this way for the players. We would also build in learning for the other players. However, the 40 minutes would be tailored to one individual. This would be periodised for every player over a 12-week meso cycle.
An individual coach would then be assigned to the player in a team session so when these scenarios occurred in a game or phase of play they could revisit some of the individual learning. The individual session is built up to practise in the impact zones. The team would then do a session in the attacking third of the pitch and the player would understand their role in the attacking phase.
| Area | Up to half a pitch |
| Equipment |
Balls, bibs, mannequins |
| No. of Players | 4 |
| Session Time | Passing drill: 10mins Wide duel: 15mins Game-related scenario: 15mins |
PASSING DRILL
We set up on half a pitch, with four mannequins and two teams of two as shown. This is designed for repetition of technique in isolation. The red players decide which direction player attacks the mannequin by holding up a coloured bib. The ball is worked around the reds, back out to the blue. We are looking at speed of action, looking for a space beyond the defender, scanning and pre-scanning, ball manipulation and footwork away from the 1v1 duel.
We run this for 10 minutes.
[1]
-
The red players decide which direction the player attacks the mannequin by holding up a coloured bib
- The ball is worked around the reds, back out to the blue
WIDE DRILL
We set up on quarter of a pitch with two mini goals and cones positioned as shown along with two teams of two and a coach. We move to the opposed element of a wide duel to assist or score. The blue player moves to engage wide, 1v1. The resting red player decides the direction of attack by standing next to the coloured cone relating to each mini goal. We are looking for decision-making, scanning, receiving, releasing and dribbling, as well as preparation for chance creation. We run this for 15 minutes.
[2]
-
The blue player moves to engage wide, 1v1
- The resting red player decides the direction of attack by standing next to the coloured cone relating to each mini goal
GAME-RELATED SCENARIO
We set up on half a pitch with a full size goal, two mini goals, cones and mannequins as shown, two teams of two and a coach. We now have a game-related scenario, taking in the duels, looking at reaching the assist zone using audio-visual cues to hit the red or blue goal [3a]...
[3a]
-
Blue player faces duel and then puts together a combination, leading to a shot into the full size goal
...and putting together combinations to shoot into the full size goal [3b].
[3b]
-
Blue player faces the duels, while also looking at reaching the assist zone using audio-visual cues to hit the red or blue mini goal
Again we are looking at decision-making, combinations to attack the space and to shoot, releasing quality crosses and assists, timing runs, and the angles of support. We run this for 15 minutes.
COACHING POINTS
What are the key things to look out for?
Decision-making is important throughout, as are scanning and awareness of space.
What are the typical mistakes players might make and how do I avoid them?
Speed of progression is important.
You are building the picture for the player to move through the practices – it’s important
to go quicker if they show good understanding and execution.
That’s particularly the case for demonstration of game understanding and decision-making, therefore it’s important to move to the opposed part of the session to create this variability.
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