Ivan Senzen is currently Head Coach of the U18 squad at Al Nasr FC (Dubai) – a position he has held since 2014. Previously he worked in Al Nasr FC (Saudi Arabia) as an Academy Technical Director and U15 Head Coach from 2010-2014. A native of Croatia, Ivan also has professional academy experience in Europe having been a member of the coaching staff of FC Dinamo Zagreb youth academy from 2004-2010. He currently holds the UEFA ‘A’ License.
The following session develops the understanding and ability to break the opponents line; the session begins with an unopposed passing activity to rehearse and repeat the player movements and options to create attacking opportunities. The session then builds to include opponents / defenders to create a more game-realistic environment.
The session advances to an 8v8 tactical game incorporating all the previous scenarios; in the 8v8 game setting players must now make decisions and execute those decisions under game-realistic conditions.
1.
Setup:
15 m distance between players. After one Action players changing positions A-B-C-D. After 6 min players doing the same on the other playing side.
Instructions:
PENETRATING THE LAST LINE:
Ball starts at position (A). Players pass in sequence shown.
Player (D) simulates that he has a defender on his back; therefore player (D) is passing the ball back with his first touch for a supporting player who can then pass deep for a player running forward from position C.
Every player is experiencing every playing position.
Coaching Points:
- Passing with optimal speed
- Orientation in player position
- Moment of penetrating run with change of tempo
2.
Setup:
15 m distance between players. After one action players changing positions A-B-C-D. After 6 min players doing the same on the other playing side.
Instructions:
PENETRATING OPTIONS:
Support Player (B) now has option to pass to Player (C) running forward into space or to Player (A) bending his run behind defensive line.
Coaching Points:
- Passing with optimal speed
- Orientation in player position
- Moment of penetrating run with change of tempo
3.
Setup:
15 m distance between players. Players in playing position. 4 players working in 1 group. Intensive action and rest going back to positions. Players always have 2 options to execute the drill and to train decisions.
Addition of Defender to create realistic decision-making process.
Instructions:
PENETRATING OPTIONS:
Now Support Player has 3 options:
a. Pass to (7) running forward into space
b. Pass to #11 running into space
c. Pass to Striker #9 getting behind Defender
Coaching Points:
- Passing with optimal speed
- Orientation in player position
- Moment of penetrating run with change of tempo
- Decisions and game insight
4.
Setup:
15 m distance between players. Players in playing position. 4 players working in 1 group. Intensive action and rest going back to positions. Players always have 2 options to execute the drill and to train decisions.
Instructions:
PENETRATING OPTIONS:
As previous –
Now with additional forward run of central player (8). In this sequence, Player (7) supports to receive the lay-off pass from Striker (9); Player (8) breaks forward from a central position to give a penetrating option.
Coaching Points:
- Passing with optimal speed
- Orientation in player position
- Moment of penetrating run with change of tempo
- Decisions and game insight
5.
Setup:
15 m distance between players. Players in playing position. 4 players working in 1 group. Intensive action and rest going back to positions. Players always have 2 options to execute the drill and to train decisions.
Instructions:
PENETRATING OPTIONS:
Attackers repeat all possible sequences and passing options.
Coaching Points:
- Passing with optimal speed
- Orientation in player position
- Moment of penetrating run with change of tempo
- Decisions and game insight
6.
Setup:
Pitch: 60 x 40 m. Players: 8 vs 8. Playing area divided into 2 zones/corridors; 7 vs 5 in the first corridor and 2 vs 1 in the second corridor.
Instructions:
PENETRATING THE LINE:
Green team is keeping possession until it is possible to pass the ball to attacking player, he has to find a back pass to the supporting player. Players from the front line are attacking space behind the defending line. After penetrating pass play becomes 8 vs 8 and green team needs to finish the action. Target is to finish the action quickly and use the space with no defenders.
Coaching Points:
- Passing with optimal speed
- Orientation in player position
- Moment of penetrating run with change of tempo
- Decisions and game insight