Combination play"Creating and Combining with Teammates"

Purpose:

By the end of this session the players will understand what the wall pass, also known as a 1-2, an overlap and a takeover is.  They should be able to execute one with precision and skill depending on age level and the coach should look for incorporation into actual games.  The emphasis should be on when to execute combination play as opposed to when to create with a long pass or when to go one v one.

It is difficult to incorporate this into game play without forcing it so the emphasis must be on the game and when the opportunity presents itself introduce the concept of combination play and how to use it in a game.

Equipment:

Cones, pinnies, balls.

Progression:

Fundamental:
This session absolutely must build from the beginning as the fundamentals of combination play are essential to the success in a game. Build from this focusing on the technique in this stage and add as you progress.

Match Related:
In this stage add to the technique by focusing on movement off the ball. By focusing on off the ball the players will learn how to move and where to be which allows for proper movement towards the ball. Once the players understand position then coaching movement and combination play is able to be done.

Match Condition:
in this stage focus on the game. As play progresses in natural play instruct the players on combination play. When the opportunity presents itself to show to a defender do so to encourage a wall pass, or try an overlap to encourage getting the ball in open space. Again be sure to focus on the game and add to it combination play only when it is appropriate.

Coaching Points:

• Create length and width first, then show into the space
• Work towards the defender cutting down the angle to make the pass easier
• Use the overlap to create numbers up in the attack
• Use “hold hold” as the ball is knocked in on the overlap
• Be deceptive, use all surfaces of the foot, add a fake, to keep the defenders from knowing if you will play a combination pass or simply take it yourself
• After the pass, make a run into space
• If its not there, fake it, then take yourself
  Can you use non-verbal cues to communicate with your teammates
• Use two speeds, slow down then accelerate past him

Activity

Setup

Pass and move

• Play in a 40x40 yard grid.
• Half of players in red, half in white.
• Pinnies find a non pinnie and wall pass.-
• Switch - non-pinnies find a pinnie and wall pass
• Pinnies find non-pinnie and make a move, then get it back on a wall-
  pinnies and non pinnies switch
• After wall pass, passers find a line, touch it, then find someone else.
  

Coaching Points:

• Receive at 45 degrees?
• Pinnies knock it in, the overlap behind, get it back-switch
• On overlap communicate “hold hold hold”
• Use outside of foot if possible as to not give away pass.
• Inside of foot is a HUGE giveaway however great for creating other options such as taking away.
• Receive on wall pass, use vision knowing where to distribute before reception.
  

2v2 +2windows+2 Targets

• Play in a 40x20
• Two gold versus two reds.
• Possessor should use windows and targets as passers.
• Everyone is in, away from ball to start whenever a target has the ball.
• Reds get ball from gold targets and scores with by getting the ball to red targets.
  

Coaching Points:

• Do not force the combinations
• Windows and targets should be moving.
• To complete wall passes the second attacker should move toward the defender to take away

-target for yellow

-window for red

-window for yellow

4v4 with goals

• All players must touch with at least one player completing an overlap, wall pass, third person wall, or takeover.
• Progress to 3 of 4 combinations must be done before a score can occur.
  

Coaching Points:

• All players must touch with at least one player completing an overlap, wall pass, third person wall, or takeover.
• Progress to 3 of 4 combinations must be done before a score can occur.