Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA A LICENCE - Match Preparation: High press to defend middle space

Roles and Responsibilities (10 mins)

Organisation

Building blocks to help every player understand thier roles and responsibilities within the team

1. Striker. Will be the trigger to when other players in the team engage. His role is to get close to apply pressure on the ball and to show the centre back one way. This will help rest of team mates as to they will have more of an understanding as to where the next pass will go.

2. Wide left player needs to be in a position where he can affect the pass into blue right midfield player, but also able to get to the full back as the ball arrives. Once the ball is at Blue full backs feet he will show outside away from central area.

3. Number 10. will step across and become a screen not to allow the ball to be played into Blue midfielder. He will also have to step out and engage if centre back goes past striker. His main role is to drop onto the deepest midfielder.

4. Opposite wide player comes in field and affects Blue furthest central midfielder. In a position where he can get close as ball arrives, but also able to get to Blue left back if the ball is switched quickly.

5. Central midfielder on side of the ball. Similar to Number 10 he will screen any pass into Blue striker. In a position where he can close down his midfield opponent if ball is played into him.

6, Furthest central midfileder. Will drop slightly deeper than other central midfielder. He will provide a screen to prevent pass into second striker, also being slightly deeper will allow him to cover team mate should he get beat. He will be in a position to get close to his opponent if the ball is played into Blue furthest central midfielder.Communicating with team mate No4(wide right)

7. Left full back. If the ball is with left sided centre back, he will be in a position get close to Blue wide midfielder if ball is played into him. If wide player has ball at feet he will show the player away from goal and wide.

8. Left centre back. Will be on the side of the ball marking the first striker. In a position to win ball if played into strikers feet and being ball side will help prevent striker from running into channel as defender will be ahead of him.

9 Right centre back will cover team mate dropping slightly deeper and coming infield to keep the distances between centre backs the same. He will be the deepest defender and can decide whether to track runs or let attackers run offside.

10. Opposite Full Back Will come in field looking to cover furthest centre back. (But being in line or slighlty ahead of him). He will be in a position to deal with second striker. Leaving his wide player as he is the least danger, He will be in a position to get across and deal with wide player as the ball travels a long distance. He will have an open body position being able to see both Blue striker and Blue wide player.

11 Goalkeeper. Starting positions will be slightly deeper in the half pitch practice compared to the 11v11 game. He will be on the side of the ball and looking to deal with any over hit passes. His communication will be very important as he is the only player who can see the whole pitch.

If ball is on opposite side of the pitch then players roles are reversed.

Understanding

If strikerhas had a shot and is out of position, then team can not apply pressure high up the pitch and will have to drop to a mid block

11 v 11 game (25 mins)

Organisation

11v11 adding Blues goalkeeper.

Normal football rules.

Reds have 15 seconds to score or shoot.

Blues to start by trying to play through central areas.

Progression

Blues will be encouraged to play long balls and go more direct . This will help Red players understanding of recovery runs and the importance of being in a position where they can affect play if the ball is lost.

Understanding of distances from goal of defendive unit.

Goalkeeper. Starting positions will be on the side of the ball and looking to deal with any over hit passes. His communication will be very important as he is the only player who can see the whole pitch.

What ifs

I will coach the what ifs as and when they happen throughout the 11 v11. Red team are not always going to be able to protect the central areas so I will coachwhat I expect of individuals if this occurs.

Transitions

I will give information to attacking players who need to be in positions where Red team can counter attack upon winning back possession