Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Phase of Play

Phase of Play-Press set up (25 mins)

Set Up

Using 2/3 of the field and full width as shown in diagram

One full size 11v11 goal

10x10 box that is central- in between the halfway line and end line as shown above.

Supply of balls.

Attacking team in Red plays with 10 players plus a Target player who is restricted to a 10x10 box.

Red is set up in a 1-4-3-2 plus Target, with the central midfielders playing a 1-2.

Pressing team in White plays with 8 players, we have eliminated both CBs and GK from the game

White is set up in a 2-3-3 with the central midfielders playing a 1-2.

Instructions

Ball starts with the Gk from the attacking team. On the first pass, the game is live. 

Attackers objective is to try and find weak side of the field and then find the Target player in the box for 1 point. Target player is restricted to their box.

Defenders objective is to direct opponents to play in wide areas from a high press, to set traps and win the bal from their press. If successful, the White team can score on the opponents goal for 2 points.

Coaching Points

Does the opposition understand their objective? If not how can we coach them to bring success to our topic? Example, looking to get the ball from strong side to weak side.

-Press as a team-players move together

-Closest player pressing, should force ball carrier into passing into wide areas by how they press, curved/diagonal vs straight run.

If the ball is played back to the GK, re organize your shape. CF does not need to press the GK.

-Deny ball carrier time and space by pressing with speed

- Closest supporting players need to be in positions that threaten/intercept the inside passes

- Invite the pass into wide areas, as the ball travels can you travel to close down the player, and prevent them from playing forwards.

-Once the ball is in a wide area, we lock that area by marking the closest players around the ball, preventing them from playing forwards and across. 

-Move as a unit to one halve of the field where we overwhelm opposition with numerical superiority. This is also a trap to win possession of the ball.

-If we get beat, recovery runs need to be made towards the goal/Target box.

- Weak sided players need to cover and give balance to the team- staying connected

-Invite the pass to the wide players-protect the space centrally

Transitional moments

- If pressing team wins possession, can they secure the ball by finding a player in space and time.

-White needs to get their shape to start the attack.

Characteristics

Aggressive pressing mentality

Be Brave-when you press and lock you give up space in behind and on the weak side

Intelligent players

Good at individual defending 

Quick Players

Vocal Players