Here is a session from the first week of the U16 EC Vitoria Team.  The first session worked on team shape and the second session was physical and technical circuit training.  You can learn more information or purchase the season of training sessions of this team and the U18 Clube Atletico Mineiro here. 

EC Vitoria U16 Team - Week 1 - Session 3

Focus: Ball Possession
Players: 20 players + 2 Goalkeepers

Warm up
Groups of 3 players and 1 ball each. 5-7 minutes on each situation (1,2,3,4)



Coaching Points
• Situation 1: player B dribbles half way and passes to C. B takes C spot and C dribbles half way and passes to A and so on. Two touches ball reception, dribble to penetrate at speed and firm inside of the foot pass.
• Situation 2: player B dribbles half way and passes to C who is going to make a 1-2 combination before taking off and execute the same with player A on the other side. Emphasize proper angles on the 1-2 combos.
• Situation 3: player B passes to C who is going to take a preparation touch to the side and pass to player A with the instep of his foot. B goes to C and C goes to A and so on. Emphasize the striking technique of the instep foot pass, with lots of leaning/inclination towards the non-kick leg,
• Situation 4: player B passes to C who now serves a long air ball to A. Getting under the ball with a powerful follow thru is crucial for the success and accuracy of the pass.


Progression 1
Ball Possession on top of the 18-yard box. 4 teams of 5 (variation: 4 teams of 4).



The game starts with a 5v3 possession. When a team in possession of the ball inside of your own area completes 4 consecutive passes then they are allowed to shoot directly in goal OR serve a ball into the box for one of its member to go for a 1v1 against the GK (no defender from the opposing team can enter the box at this point). Either way if the goal is scored or not, then the game restarts with ball possession to the other team. If during the play the other team regains possession, they need to bring the ball back into their own area and strive to complete their 4 passes in order to score. If the ball goes around bound, restart with a kick-in. Rotate the teams clockwise and make sure they all play each other.



Coaching Points
• With ball possession make sure to chose right and find the open man.
• Off the ball make sure that teammates can read you.
• Emphasize to not rush with the build up and find the right moment to score, which is when the team found space/time to use. To maintain the ball is the focus. No rush after completing 4 passes, the team may need to keep passing the ball until an opportunity arises.

Progression 2
It is a variation of Progression 1. This time every time the ball is passed into the box for a finishing, the opposing team is allowed to send a defender that must come from their own area. If the defender wins the ball, then he has to simply clear it away.



Coaching Points
• The possible finisher now needs to pay attention of how big or small he wants to create the space in relation to the extra defender.
• Composure to go around the opponent and GK. The actual scoring task is to focus on the available gaps where the ball can be played/finished.

Progression 3
Another variation. In addition to the extra defender entering the box, now an extra forward is allowed to join the player on the ball and thus create a 2v1 plus GK.



Coaching Points
• Again learning to get open to a possible penetration is the key, so reinforce the angles, passing lanes, body checks, and timing the runs accordingly. Seeking for help (man on the ball) and seeking to offer help (off the ball).

Progression 4
5v5 scrimmage. Half field, width of the 18-yard box.

Cool Down
• Directed Pool Cool Down. 8 minutes. Dynamic stretches, static stretches and swimming.