Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Defending in our Attacking 3rd

Warm Up (10 mins)

Organisation:

- 2 grids

- minimum 7/8 players in each grid. 

-15m x 20m  diamond as per diagram. 

-12 x cones

Explanation:

-Play starts from a station with 2 players. 

-Player opposite the man receiving the ball, applies pressure as quick as possible. (50% to start with building intensity once the pattern is flowing)

-RED #3 plays one direction and move in the opposite.

-When the player receives the ball they follow the pattern by playing the ball to the right & moving to the left.

- Player has made the run in the opposite station, they prepare for the next action (BPO) by pressing the opposite station as the ball is travelling.

- Mirror image on the other side.

Progression 1:

- Pass and move alternate direction.

Progression 2:

-Passing direction is players choice.

Player actions:  (BPO)

- Every players has 2 tasks 1) pass/move & 2) Close down

- Look at dynamic stretches between stations before 1 progression.

-Movement and urgency when closing down..

- Player closing the opponent down look to facing him the direction you want them to go by changing the angle of the run.

Coaches cue's:

-Anticipate the pass. (Quicker decisions)

-Don't dive in unless you are sure you can intercept and regain possession.

-Lower your centre of balance

-Can you make the tackle inside touching distance.

Player Actions: (BP)

-Use and create your own working space

-Accuracy of passing i.e. to the advantage side / space of the receiver

-Handling speed i.e. touch / movement in dribbling

-Positioning (Getting between defenders, back to sideline)

-Scanning (Look over shoulder, tell receiver to check their shoulder)

-Communication (point or call, turn right / left)

Coaches Cues:

-Movement off the ball in areas to receive the ball facing forward

-Back to the sideline to open your body up.

-Scan before you receive

-Communication

ALTERNATE PRACTICE: (Based on numbers)

Organisation:

-1 grid (Based on Playing group numbers)

-14 players 

-20m x 20m  diamond as per diagram.

-6 markers

- 4 x colour bibs

Explanation:

- 4 players in the middle facing an outside station.

- Ball starts with BLUE playing out to the #4 position and applies pressure.

- When the player receives the ball, Blue applies pressure ASAP, once the ball is released he/she moves back into the centre.

-Change centre players every 2-3 mins

Player actions:

- Every player has 2 tasks 1) pass/move & 2) Close down

- Look at dynamic stretches between stations before 1 progression.

-Movement and urgency when closing down..

- Player closing the opponent down look to facing him the direction you want them to go by changing the angle of the run.

Progression 1:

- Pass and move alternate direction.

Progression 2:

-Passing direction is players choice.

4 v 3 (25 mins)

Organisation

-4v4

-30m x 20m

-Yellow players defend 3 small goals. (1 mtr)

- 7 mtr "shooting line"

Team Tasks: (Team in BPO) 

1.Nearest player to the ball try to stop them playing forward and combining with there #6 and #8.

2.Compact. Move into compact position to cut off the forward pass.

Players Tasks:

-1st player to the ball, can you make a tackle.

-Apply pressure asap to forcing the opponents in the direction you want them to go.

-Win the ball back as quick as possible or forcing the defender to play back/side wards.

-(#9, #11 or #7) to support each other across the front, as a collective.

-Midfielders (#6,#8 and #10)  exploit the passing lanes to steal or intercept the ball.

-(#7 & #11) look to cover #6 & #8 in the middle and create a 3v2 in central area.

-Can our front players (#9,#11 or #7) position them self to support and create a 2 v 1

-When the GK plays central defender can our wide players move into BPO positions closer to #8 and #6.

Player Cue's:

-As the ball is travelling to the #3 or #4 can #9 , #11, #7 make a tackle.

-When either of the front 3 engage the defender, #10, #6 or #8 get in front of the opposition midfield to steal or intercept the ball.

-Midfield (#6, #8 & #10) move to cut out the forward pass before the ball carrier gets in line with our front players.

Coaches Cues:

Communication by coaching players in front of you (Delay, push right, push left, press high). Are the players pressing on the correct player and stopping them playing out from the back.

8v8 (15 mins)

Wrap up:

Reinforce what the days session “BPO, Deny opponents time & space to build up”.

Ask the players:

Did they enjoy the session?

What did they learn?

Where on the park could it be used?

When could it be used?

Why is it valuable to use?

Ask myself:

-Was there visible improvement in the Game training from the positioning practice?

-Did they show an understanding and bring it to the park?

-Did the players enjoy my session? Rating from 1-5 (1 being ordinary & 5 totally enjoyed it and used it in every game practice)

-Was my session effective or not?

-Could I have controlled the session better or differently? 

-Was there Perception, Decision Making and Execution present?