Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Reaction to Turnover - Mid Third - Counter Press

Passing Practice (10 mins)

Explanation: Passing practice which starts to introduce the pressing reaction to a pass but which also works upon introducing combination play and moving the ball quickly within 1 or 2 touch

Version One

- ball starts at North and South

- Receiving player starts behind the pole

- Inside player moves to the left and receives pass on their back foot

- Plays to the player waiting to their right

- Both players following their pass with a 75% sprint (build up intensity as session progresses)

Progression

- Players switch side to work other way

Version Two

- As above however this time rather than the receiving player dribbling around the pole they play a one two with the passing player before passing to the waiting player to their right. 

Progression

- work both sides once again

 

Coaching Points

- Encouragement based rather than picking specific points

- Encourage actions to be performed sharply

- Technical detail to focus on which foot to receive on /play too depending on which version we are doing? Question the players around why

Game Training (45 mins)

Explanation: Organise the players into three equal teams (ideally 8 + GK). Games run for 7 min and winner stays on. Team not playing is undertaking an active recovery and debrief session. Games played in the formations used by the club. 

Players look to combine for 3 passes and then break the end zone for a third man run to finish (1st time) or they can carry through the poles located in the corners at which point an additional defender and attacker can also join.

Field: is the middle third of the pitch and width of the 18 yd box to ensure that pressing distances are not to great and encourage both vertical passing and encourage transitional moments.

Rules: If the ball is won back within the opposition half then then there is no need for the 3 passes and you can immediately break the line for a third man run (if it is on) otherwise 3 pass rule still in place.

If the ball goes out of play then the goalkeeper starts, however, if it is caused by aggressive pressing within the opposition half then the coach will feed the pass to the closest player of that team (reward the press)

Coaching Points - pressing related 

- When in possession can the remaining players position themselves to both provide passing options, but, also be able to be in a position immediate pressure should the ball be turned over

- When the ball is within the opposition half can you position to stop forward central passing options and force the ball into the wider area to isolate a player and either win back, or, force an error

- Can the closest player provide immediate pressure to stop a forward pass especially if this is within your own half

- When the ball is with a opposition player and the decision has been made to press by a striker or midfielder* can you press the player using your cover shadow to block:

• if attacker then the inside ball to the midfield (defenders)
• in midfield the ball to the striker

* question players how will they be able to make the decision to press and how will they know the cover shadow (scanning and communication from the players behind)

- when the ball is won within the opposition half can players* make supporting movements to both break the opposition defensive line and be in a position to receive the pass and provide an immediate passing option so as to avoid the counter press
* question players on which players would provide this

- Can the players behind provide accurate information to the players in front of them to assist them within pressing, cover shadows and when to press

Coaching Points General

- when the defending players have the ball can forward players create angles to receive

- can players distribute to team mates onto the appropriate foot for the body position which they take up*

* question players as to what this is and why you would target a front or back foot depending on the body position

- to the widest player /CF when the ball is being pressed on the opposite side and in the opposition half can you position yourself to both provide an option behind and (for widest player) still be able to provide defensive cover

- In possession can players look to combine with one another to play through the opposition lines 

Coaches positioned on the side to feed balls in and one with the active recovery group