Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending in the Final A1/3 (7v7)

Pro-Club: FC DELCO

Ashley Thomas

Profile Summary

Name:	Ashley Thomas
City:	Princeton
Country:	United States of America
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

General Principles of Attack:

1. Get balanced / organized.

2. Stay balanced / organized.

3. Pressure, Cover and Balance.

Team Tactical Principles:

1. Make it compact.

2. Keep it compact.

3. Press the player with the ball.

4. Always pressure the 'hotzone' (tactical target zone).

5. Outnumber the opponent and give cover.

Goals:

1. Prevent the opponent to play forward.

2. Cause an inaccurate pass and/or a ball that's hard to control.

3. Regain possession of the ball.

5 W's:

Who - General: Attacking line, Forwards and Midfield; Specific: #9 shading to deny the pass back. #10 applying pressure (indicating when the team steps as one). #8 providing cover for #10, and #6 communicating to those individuals when to press (after getting compact) and where to force the opposition. #7/11 tucking in to deny the switch or recovering to provide balance which allows the #6 to control the group and keep them organized.

Where - Attacking to Middle third.

When - Once we lose possession of the ball as it's played into the #9.

What - Improving the team's ability to quickly re-establish shape (get compact) and pressure the ball to win it early - High Press.

Why - In order to regain possession of the ball early before the opposition is able penetrate into our defensive third.

US Soccer Federation; C Course - Ashley Thomas

Based on the Game Analysis of New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union (U13/14B)

* Modified for Indoor 7v7 Sessions *

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Warm-Up: 4v3 + 2 Targets

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Warm-Up: 4v3 + 2 Targets (15 mins)

Organization:

Activity occurs in the Middle to Final Attacking third

40 x 30 (varies depending on group)

2 Target Players - Located on the outside of the area, as shown, in the Attacking and Middle third

3 Players in BLUE - Look to penetrate the Middle third by connecting with the target player in the Middle third (#8). Targets = 1 point.

4 Players in RED - Look to score by connecting with the Blue GK located in the Attacking third, after regaining possession of the ball. GK = 1 point.

Instructions:

1. BLUE looks to connect with target player (#8) in the Middle third behind the half-way line.

2. RED tries to maintain and regain possession of the ball in order to score by connecting with the Blue GK.

3. Once the ball is played into the target (Blue #8), he or she redistributes it back to #8 (Red) who looks to play the ball into #9 (Red).

4. Targets switch every 5 minutes or after "X" amount of have been scored.

Coaching Points:

1. Maintain possession of the ball, so we can move forward and score.

2. Moment the ball is lost: Can we quickly transition mentally and physically to defend.

3. Establish defensive shape: Compactness

4. Communication to the #9 were to force the opposition.

5. Force the opposition: Angle of Approach and body shape/positioning

6. Deny the switch: Cut off the option to pass left or right (#9)

7. Stay compact

8. Apply pressure to the ball (#10)

9. Keep compact

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Orientation: 5v5 + 1 Target

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Orientation: 5v5 + 1 Target (20 mins)

Organization:

Activity occurs in the Middle to Final Attacking third

5 Players in BLUE (target not included)

6 Players in RED

1 Server (red) located in the Final Defensive third

Thirds marked out (with cones) as shown

Final Attacking third: 2v3

Middle third: 3v2

Instructions:

1. RED team - looks to maintain/regain possession of the ball in order to score on goal.

2. BLUE team - must dribble over the entrance to the defensive third, where #5/4 is located, for a point.

3. As the Blue team crosses the defensive third #5/4 looks to play a flighted ball into the #9.

4. If the Red team looks to score on goal, but the goalkeeper stops it he/she may redistribute and look to build out of the back.

Coaching Points:

1. Maintain possession of the ball, so we can move forward and score.

2. Moment the ball is lost: Can we quickly transition mentally and physically to defend.

3. Establish defensive shape: Compactness

4. Communication to the #9 were to force the opposition

5. Force the opposition: Angle of Approach and body shape/positioning

6. Deny the switch: Cut off the option to pass left or right (#9)

7. Stay compact

8. Apply pressure to the ball (#8)

9. Keep compact

10. Once pressure is applied to the ball, teams ability to step and compress.

11. Moment to win the ball

12. Once possession is regained, teams ability to move forward but also anticipate when/where possession may be lost (Rest Defense).

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Learning: 6v6 + GK

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Learning: 6v6 + GK (25 mins)

Organization:

Activity occurs in the Middle to Final Attacking third, and includes portions of the Final Defensive third (15 yd).

7 Player in Blue (including the GK)

6 Players in Red

1 Target (Blue)

Thirds marked out (with cones) as shown

Final Attacking third: 4v5 + GK

Middle third: 5v4

Final Defensive third: 1v1

Instructions:

1. RED team - looks to maintain/regain possession of the ball in order to score on goal.

2. BLUE team - must connect with the target (#9) in the defensive third for a point.If Red team connects the the #9, the Red #4 or #5 starts with the ball and looks play the ball forward into the #9 if possible.

3. If the Red team looks to score on goal, but the goalkeeper stops it he/she may redistribute the ball and look to build out of the back.

4. Red #4 and #5 are interchangeable as they can move in between the defensive and middle third to deny the forward pass into #9. (One must always be in the defensive third)

Coaching Points:

1. Maintain possession of the ball, so we can move forward and score.

2. Moment the ball is lost: Can we quickly transition mentally and physically to defend.

3. Establish defensive shape: Compactness

4. Communication to the #9 were to force the opposition

5. Force the opposition: Angle of Approach and body shape/positioning

6. Deny the switch: Cut off the option to pass left or right (#9)

7. Stay compact

8. Apply pressure to the ball (#10)

9. Keep compact

10. Once pressure is applied to the ball, teams ability to step and compress.

11. Moment to win the ball

12. Once possession is regained, teams ability to move forward but also anticipate when/where possession may be lost (Rest Defense).

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Implementation: 7v7

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Implementation: 7v7 (25 mins)

Organization:

Full Field 7 v 7

Ball (Extras on the side)

Instructions:

Free Play

Formation:

New York Red Bulls: 1 - 2 - 3 - 1

Philadelphia Union: 1 - 3 - 2 - 1

Coaching Points:

Relative to previous activities.

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