Week 40

Outcomes

• ✓Players can recognise the correct moment to play short vs. long from the goalkeeper
• ✓Players can create and occupy width correctly in a 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 build shape
• ✓Players can play through a mid-block press using third-man combinations
• ✓Players can maintain possession under high pressure by switching play to the weak side

Equipment

• 16 cones
• 4 poles or mannequins
• 4 bibs (2 colours)
• 3 balls
• 1 whiteboard + marker
• 2 full-size or large portable goals

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Players in two parallel lines of 6, facing each other 6 yds apart on a 30×20 yd strip. Cones at each end.

   How to run it: Run full FIFA 11+ protocol: jogging circuits (forward, backward, crossover), hip openers, lateral shuffles, single-leg RDL, Nordic lowers (eccentric), and two sets of 20-yd accelerations. Follow with a 3v1 rondo (8 yd square) where the defender must press the ball carrier within one touch to maintain game-model intensity from the first minute.

   • ›Keep hips low and weight forward on every change of direction
   • ›In the rondo, press with a curved run to cut off the easy pass
   • ›Encourage loud communication for all ball-side movements

2. 2. Technical/Functional Practice – Build-Up Shape Shadow Work

   15m

   Set up: Half-pitch with a goalkeeper in goal. Cones mark central-third and attacking-third entry zones. 6 outfield players assume the back four plus two midfield roles. 4 mannequins simulate a mid-block.

   How to run it: Coach calls a press scenario (high, mid, low). Players build from the goalkeeper through the scripted shape, passing around and through the mannequins to reach the forward zone. Rotate roles every 4 minutes. Progress: add a live pressing pair to react to passing cues rather than mannequins.

   • ›Centre-backs split wide on goalkeeper distribution to create width and depth
   • ›Single pivot drops between the centre-backs when both are under pressure
   • ›Wingers pin wide until the ball passes the pressing line, then check in as third-man options
   • ›Do not force passes – switch to the weak side if the central line is blocked

3. 3. Skill/Phase Game – 6+GK v 4 Build-Out

   15m

   Set up: 40×30 yd zone from the goal-line to halfway. GK in goal plus 6 outfield players in possession against 4 organised defenders. Two end-lines as safe zones (ball played to them counts as successful progression).

   How to run it: Possession team builds from the GK and attempts to play the ball across either end-line opposite the goal. Defending team wins a point for each turnover. Possession team earns a point for reaching an end-line with a controlled pass. Rotate defenders after 3 minutes. After two rotations, add a second defender to make it 6+GK v 6.

   • ›GK must communicate the press direction to the nearest centre-back immediately
   • ›Ball-near midfielder must show as a passing angle within two seconds of distribution
   • ›Switch the point of attack before the press can reorganise

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Build-Up to Finish (9v9)

   20m

   Set up: Full 9v9 on a 65×45 yd pitch with goalkeepers. Cones mark a 'build zone' in the defensive third where goals scored from open play that began with a goalkeeper pass count double.

   How to run it: Normal 9v9 with the rule that every attack must start from the goalkeeper – no kick-long restarts unless the coach calls 'reset'. Attacking team earns bonus point for maintaining five consecutive passes before shooting. Coach pauses twice to freeze-frame a correct or incorrect build-up decision and ask players to self-correct.

   • ›First line of build must be stable before the second line can advance
   • ›Freeze-frame question: 'Was that a trigger to play long, or were we just rushed?'
   • ›Third man must time the run to arrive as the second pass is made, not before
   • ›GK distribution should be varied – do not become predictable

5. 5. Scrimmage – Free Play 9v9

   15m

   Set up: Same 65×45 yd pitch, normal rules, goalkeepers in. No additional conditions.

   How to run it: Free scrimmage allowing players to apply the session themes without interruption. Coach observes and notes three individual targets for the post-game debrief. Allow the game to flow; only stop for injury or unsafe play.

   • ›Watch for early breaks of shape in possession – are players holding their roles?
   • ›Note one positive build-up sequence per player to celebrate at debrief

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Players in a circle, light static and dynamic stretching.

   How to run it: Lead 90-second active cool-down (quad, hip flexor, hamstring stretches). Pose the debrief question: 'Name one moment today where your position in the build-up created an option for a teammate.' Take two or three answers, then announce next session focus.

   • ›Reinforce: game-model is a team decision – no one role is more important
   • ›Keep debrief under 3 minutes so players leave on a high

Outcomes

• ✓Players can self-organise the build-up shape without coach instruction at kick-off
• ✓Players can diagnose and communicate when to recycle versus when to progress
• ✓Players can exploit overloads created by the pivot-pivot-winger triangle
• ✓Players can sustain the build-up model for a full 15-minute scrimmage

Equipment

• 12 cones
• 4 bibs (2 colours)
• 3 balls
• 2 full-size or large portable goals

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Two groups of 6 in a 20×10 yd grid each. Each group has one ball.

   How to run it: Perform partner-based 11+: jog together mirroring body position, lateral shuffles with hip rotation, single-leg hops in forward direction, partner Nordic-lower support, and two acceleration sprints. Finish with a 3-team keep-away: three teams of 4 in a 25×25 yd square, middle team defends, outer teams combine for possession, rotate defender team on each interception.

   • ›Mirror partner's movement before the sprint – builds reactive coordination
   • ›In keep-away: always have a passing option on each side of the ball carrier
   • ›Rotate quickly on the interception to keep tempo high

2. 2. Technical/Functional Practice – Positional Passing Patterns

   15m

   Set up: Half-pitch. Set up a 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3 shape with cones marking each position zone. Players rotate through positions each round.

   How to run it: Run three scripted patterns: (1) CB-to-pivot-to-winger-to-striker overlap, (2) GK-to-CB-switch-to-far-winger run, (3) double pivot combination with a third-man forward. Each pattern run three times per rotation. Demand one-touch execution on patterns 1 and 3 to simulate pressure. Correct position-specific footwork at each node.

   • ›Weight of pass must be firm enough to land at the correct foot
   • ›Receiving player should check shoulder before the ball arrives
   • ›Pivot players: body open to the field on every receipt – no blind-side touches

3. 3. Skill/Phase Game – Phase of Play: Attack vs. Organised Mid-Block

   15m

   Set up: 50×35 yd half-pitch with a goal. 7 attackers (full shape) vs. 7 defenders in a 4-3 mid-block. Coach serves the ball to either centre-back to start each rep.

   How to run it: Attacking team must build from the goalkeeper position and create a shooting chance within 25 seconds. Defending team earns a point for each clearance or interception that exits the zone; attacking team earns a point for each on-target shot. After each rep, coach poses one question about the attacking decision to the group before the next rep.

   • ›Identify: did the attack use width to stretch the block before penetrating?
   • ›Was the pivot available as a reset option when the first pass was blocked?
   • ›Timing of the striker's movement must be synced with the third-man pass

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – 9v9 with Positional Scoring

   20m

   Set up: Full 65×45 yd pitch, 9v9 with goalkeepers. Whiteboard on the side shows four positional scoring conditions.

   How to run it: Standard 9v9 with four positional bonuses: (1) goal scored after five passes in own half = 2 pts, (2) goal assisted by an overlapping fullback = 2 pts, (3) goal from a pivot through-ball = 2 pts, (4) any other goal = 1 pt. Coach reads bonuses aloud at each goal. Both teams use the same conditions so competition remains even.

   • ›Players should hunt the bonus conditions without abandoning the game model
   • ›Call out positional creativity when it creates a chance, even without a goal
   • ›Protect the shape when in possession – resist the temptation to over-dribble

5. 5. Scrimmage – Full Free Match

   15m

   Set up: Same 65×45 yd pitch, free play, goalkeepers in, no conditions.

   How to run it: Allow players to self-referee minor fouls to build game ownership. Coach walks the sideline silently, taking notes. Intervene only for injury or dangerous play. Allow natural game flow including set pieces.

   • ›Look for evidence the build-up shape is self-organised without prompting
   • ›Identify one player who needs position-specific feedback for the next session

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Players seated in a circle for static stretching.

   How to run it: Lead a 90-second cool-down focusing on hip flexors and hamstrings. Ask: 'Which positional triangle felt most connected today – and why?' Take two answers. Provide a single team takeaway and preview week 41.

   • ›Validate specific contributions, not just results
   • ›End on a motivating statement connecting today's work to the team identity