Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Winning Possession / Pressing

Ball Mastery Press Box

Overview: Set whole pitch up first 45x30 (3quarters of 15 length & 3 quarters of 10 width) 

Then set up two 15 x 12.5 areas with two teams split into a box each with a ball each. Players can use ball mastery skills as they travel around their square. The coach calls a number i.e. number 1, that number from each square must travel to the other square and try to win a ball from a player from the other team and return it to their box.

Progressions:

• Once a ball is removed from the square by a defender, the attacker who lost the ball is now available to receive and pass with other footballs. Play until there is no footballs left.

Press Transition game

Overview: Set up a box in the middle 15x10 with 4 players with bibs in the box. Outside the box have 6 players all in their own box zones.

This game is designed to encourage players to keep possession with a numerical advantage within a small space (central zone) and introduce the idea of quick transitions between having possession and attempting to win the ball back.

- The game starts with a 4v1possession game inside the central box
- Should the attackers in the inside lose the ball to the defender (Blue) the ball must be quickly played to their Blue teammates outside the box where they attempt to keep possession from the Red team who now must use teamwork to quickly press the ball and win in back. Once this happens the Red team must get the ball back into the central box and the game restarts

Progressions:

• - We introduce the concept of "triggers" I.e. "bad pass" , "bad touch"

  and allow a second defender to join the centre box if one of these triggers is set
  - 1 point is scored per 5 passes