Football Association of Ireland

Match Day

9 v 9 Small Sided Game

9 v 9 Small Sided Game designed to improve players all round Technique and Tactical Awareness.

Key objectives

Starting positions of Defenders – wide and high, open body shape, awareness and receive on back foot
Midfield with Holding Midfielder (6) and 2 advanced midfielders (8 & 10)
Quality and selection of pass
First touch and body shape (opened looking to play forward)
Angles and distance of support
Awareness and communication
Transition to defend if ball is lost, can they win it back as quickly as possible (Pressing as a unit)

Organisation

Area: Full width of pitch, length end line to 18 yard box. Cut off the sides on one end
9 v 9 Game: Yellow 1.4.3.1 v Blue 1.2.3.3
Supply of balls in each goal
Goalkeeper starts the play at all times with the ball in the middle of 6 yard box

Session details

Match Day

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Session plan

Related sessions

11 v 11 Game

11 v 11 game designed to improve players all round technique and tactical awareness.

7 v 7 Small Sided Game

7 v 7 Small Sided Game designed to improve players all round Technique and Tactical Awareness.

Attacking with Midfield 3 and Forward with transition to defend

Attacking with Midfield 3 and Forward with transition to defend

Phase of Play practice designed to improve the combinations and movement of the Midfield and Forward based on a 7 v 7 Small Sided Game with formation 2-3-1.