Summary of a 'Model' session

 

Below is a very simple summary of the standard 2v2 session format*. A more detailed look is below the summary.

All groups :

• 1. Zombie scarecrow...add in the technical elements they will need in the 2v1.
  • All players together.
  • Actively coach the coaching points on the run.

Move to individual groups.

• 2. 'Coach and Play' a 'TST 2v1'. [The 'TST 2v2' is a 'clever' 2v1 with specific rules  details below].
  • a. Tech practice : Short sharp simple. Ideally this gets built up as part of the game you are playing.
    • EG : In a 2v1, players need control, ball moving skills (nudge touches, pop, turns, Vs etc), passing, movement etc.
    • So at some point all these techniques need to be practiced (in a game context if possible).
    • You can isolate these before the 2v1 once players understand the 2v1.
• 4. Play a clever 'Pass and press' 1v1.
  • Use a safe zone : A box/channel that opens up the goals.
  • Change how the game starts (do not always start from the middle) to change where the best space is.
• 5. Play a possession game that brings all the above together.
  •     A very basic 2 square (3v1 / 3v1b)
  •     A very basic '2v2b' possession
• 6. Play a '3v2' (with the coach acting as a third player in possession).
  •  Use this advantage to develop better game functional play (first touch, ball moving, passing, positioning and movement which all use space intelligently) and help players see who players in possession should behave.

Coaches should look for  opportunities to join in if it helps players see and play the game better.

 

All groups :

• 7. 2v2 promo relations [All players]

 

Note this plan is based on 4 players per coach !

 

(*You can 'do your own games / change the order' etc but it must look like a TST session).

 

 

 

Part #1 : Zombie / Scarecrow

Start with the game - so players immediately see what the end goal is. Then the isolation practice has context.

• Never isolate technique until you know that the players understand why they are doing it?
  • So if players do not know the 'TST 2v1" then play that first, teach them the rules, see if they can do it well without technical practice and identify where they need practice.
• Once they know what they need to learn to play the game better, then isolate technique before the game.
  • Use the 'TST 2v1' pitch as a place to practice technique and use the game as the framework.
  • Isolate technical practice in the way the technique occurs in the game.
  • So isolate 'control, ball movement to space to open up the passing line, passes, positioning (near the goal)/
  • During the game reemphasize that is all about getting the ball to the best space.....which comes back to the :

Do i run with the ball or do i release it?

 

GAME 1

 

Then Split into groups :

Part #2 :  Start with a 'TST 2v1' game or do the techcnial practice to develop 'TST 2v1'.

1. TST 2v1 for beginners : Teach the game before you develop technique. [Context comes first] but once players know the game, teach the techniques needed to play this game well, and then pay the game.

• TST 2v1 : Played on a 2v2 pitch.
  • There are 2 attackers at one end and 2 goals at the opposite end.
  • Each attacker has their own goal and can't score in the other attackers goal.
  • The 1 defender is at the other end. This defender Passes the ball to an attacker to start the game.
  • The defender stops the attackers form scoring.
  • The attackers have to choose : Do i try to score or should i pass.
  • The defenders have to choose : Do i block a goal or do i block the pass.
  • If the defender gets it - then let them try to score in any goal (4) to get an extra point!
• Coaching Points
  • Should be obvious

Further Isolate technqiue (if needed) before the 1v1.

Once you know your players - you may be able to do this before the 2v1.

 

 

Part #3a : Footshapes, foot dexterity, co-ordination, strength and conditioning.

 

 

 

Part #3b : Tech development :  Running with ball exercises  : Nudge Touches, pop touches and Turns.

 

 

 

 

Part #3c :  Add control, passing and finishing technique if needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAME #2

 

Part #4. Play pass and press 1v1 games

 

 

 

GAME #3

 

Part #5 : Possession

 

 

 

GAME #4

 

 

 

Part #6 : 3v2

 

 

As a warm up for the 2v2, play a a 3v2 where the extra player is the coach.

[It has to be the coach].

The idea is that the coach plays on the team in possession and helps players start to see the game better. That is : The players begin to see the best space to use, and start making the next phase of play better.

 

GAME #5

 

 

 

Part #7 : 2v2

 

 

 

 

 

Extra Notes

• AVOID 'FFPs and isolated cone work'.

  • If players are ready for FFPs / cone work then they have possibly out grown the 2v2 level.
  • Nudge touches (dominant foot), pop touches, turns and maybe 1 V are ok.

 

• If players are 'standing out' : They need to move up a group.

  • When players start to excel in the 2v2 games we would look to move them up to a 3v3 group.

 

• Notes

  • If your sessions are not going well - remember it is your fault (so you need to fix your mistakes).
  • If you pitch it right, then session will be fine.

 

• Massive TST tips 

  • Avoid queues and periods of inactivity / downtime.
  • Give players there own space if there are 4 players or less.
  • No more than 2 players per space [if it is not possible to give each player their own space].
  • Never have 3 players using the same space (3 players means as '1 works the other 2 will disengage').
  • Don't give players a chance to disengage.
  • If it;s a new group - start with a game !!

 

 

 

 

Use this table to navigate the full TST curriculum