Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Playing Out Centrally v High Press in a 3421

Passing Practice (10 mins)

Explanation: 
- Ball starts at the end

- The defender within the exercise (denoted by different coloured shirt) makes a movement towards one of the two players near them 

- Pass played to the free player who in turn plays into the player waiting beyond the mannequin's

- Ball then played through to the player at the end up dribbles through the poles

Progression:

- Include a second passive defender behind the receiving player so as to get some more realism into their movement to lose the defender and create space for them to receive and play forward

Timings:

- Players work for 90 seconds at a time with 30 seconds dynamic warm ups occuring working the different leg muscle groups

Skills being looked for:

- Receiving position of the players 

- Scanning 

- Correct foot to pass into and receive on to enable you to play forward

Game Training (30 mins)

Explanation:

- Reds look to build play and move ball from end to end utilising the central players within the midfield channel - if they move up and back then that is one goal

- Blue look to win back and score in the end which they are pressing within

- Blue team would press for a set period of time and on call of change then would swap with the white team

Rules:

- Outside players are not allowed deeper than the green lines (represents keeping WB higher) and cannot pass to each other. They can be pressed though

- Only three pressing players allowed within either end zones at any one time

- The reds occupying the central space are allowed within either half - they do not need to remain in difference halves

- Initially ball must be played through the central midfield players in order to progress end to end

- GK can be pressed

 Progression:

1. CB can drive with the ball through either of the gates (yellow cones) into the central area in order to progress ball to the other end 

2. Progression one being carried out means that the other blue attackers are able to defend into the central grid

Timing:

Reds work for 12 min before changing with blue /white

Pressing side on 2 min defending intervals

Coaching Points:

Player Tasks (Coaching Ques)

- Can the GK take a position to support the wider CB when they are in posession (When the ball is with the wider CB position between that player and the central defender but deep enough to be able to play out to the other CB)

- Outside players can you position yourself to support the red players in possession (If the ball is with the outside CB on your side can you position yourself either level and outside the blue, or, as close as possible in order to receive pass and play centrally)

- Can the back 3 draw the press when appropriate in order to play around (If the press from the blues is not cohesive then draw one of the strikers in order to play around and open up passing lanes into the middle channel)

- Can any red in possession play into middle grid as soon as possible (When the opportunity arises to play into a free red player in the middle then take that option)

- Can the #6 or #8 position themselves to receive and play forward (When receiving the ball make sure that you are on the half turn, receiving on your back foot and playing forward)

- Can the #6 and #8 make sure that they are not on the same vertical line as the ball carrier and horizontal line as each other (When the ball is with the CB can you position between the CB in order to create an angled pass. In order to not be on the same horizontal line can the non ballside player position themselves beyond the blue defender and the ballside player - if possible outside and level, if not deeper than the blue defender)

- Can outside CB recognise when to step into central area with the ball (After progression has occured when the ball has been switched from one side to another (in the same grid) if space avaliable then drive into the middle area through the gate)

- Can CB support play when pass has gone into midfield but remain positioned to stop any counter attack (When ball has been played into the central area can ballside outside CB take positions to support the midfield player should they need to pass back if required)

- Upon turnover of possession can the 3 CB worl together to stop any shots on goal (When ball is turned over then back three drop (slightly and narrow off to stop central progression with closest player putting themselves on the line of the ball and the goal)