Two teenagers play against each other. One wears a pink bib, and has the ball at his feet, the other wears a white bib.

Session

Transition session: progressing to the target

Session

England Football Learning

2 mins - Feb 5, 2024

Session overview

This session will help players:

move to make interceptions
scan the pitch to progress play
work together in and out of possession.

If you like this idea, download the session plan and give it a go. And don't forget to share your experience on the England Football Community. We'd love to know how you got on.

Progressing to the target player

Set up two parallel pitches. One has two end zones and a larger middle area. Put a target player in both end zones with a 2v2 in the middle. The next pitch needs an end zone and a large area with a mini goal. Here, one team has a target player in the end zone, with a 3v2 in the larger area.
The aim is for teams to score points by getting the ball to their target player or by scoring in the mini goal. When a point is scored, the opposing team restart with the ball.
Progression one: on the pitch with the goal, if the ball gets to the target player, that player joins the attack to create a 3v3 in the large area.
If the defending team wins the ball, one of their players then goes into the end zone to become the new target player.
Progression two: on the pitch with two end zones, move all the players into the middle of the area. There is now no set target player. When a chance comes, it is up to the players to move into the end zone and become the target player to score points.

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Coaching session

Watch this video to see the session in action.

Coaching tips

Swap the players between the pitches and regularly change target players so everyone gets maximum returns from the practice.

Make sure to keep count of points with your players. They could take responsibility for this. This helps to maintain a competitive nature within the session.

Have your team consider when to press. If you have an uneven number of players in the middle, this will help them.

Encourage players in the middle area to scan the pitch to help them find space to progress the ball to the end zone.

And if you feel it's right to progress the session, use the STEP framework (Youth Sports Trust, 2002) to help keep things fun, engaging and appropriate.