Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U12 Technical Session - Pressing (Start Time: 2016-02-07 20:40:00)

Overview

Overview

Pressure:

Individual defender closes a player down on the ball to exert pressure on him to give the ball up - making a bad pass; miscontrolling it, or the defender being able to tackle the ball. Results in a change of possession immediately.

Support:

Position taken up by the second defender to act as help for the first defender. The first defender by his stance and show/force the attacker towards the support player (second defender) - need to condier angles and distances of support and xommunication with the pressuring player.

Cover/Balance

The next line of players away from these two defenders - particularly the third defender, who is next closest to the pressure and support players. This player provides a balance behind the pressure and support players. The position of players beyond this third defender can be intregrated also.

Recover

Players in position on the pitch in front of where the ball is being defended must make it a priority to run back and position behind the ball, if possible between their own goal and the ball that is in the attacking teams' possession. They recover back (recovery runs) to help the team by getting more players between the ball and their own goal to make it more difficult for the attacking team to score. They must recover back along the shortest route so they get back as quickly as possible but into a position where they are most effective in terms of the postions of the ball and the opponents.

Track

The attacking team's players will make foreard runs into dangerous positions on the pitch and this is where defending players need to follow or track their runs to mark them and prevent them getting free and able to affect the game. Tracking runs can be short or long depending on the distance of the opponent's runs.

Double Team

It is possible to help the pressing player win back possession of the ball by closing down the space (pressuring) around the attacking player on the ball from another angle, preferably from the side opposite the first pressuring player. Closing the player on the ball down from his blind side can be very effective in regaining possession. In some circumstances, triple teaming can occur where three players all close down the player on the ball down simultaneously.

Screen 3 (20 mins)

Organisation

Set up a pitch 50x30 yards - divide the pitch into two zones. Place two mini goals in the corners of the Blue team's half.

Split players into two teams - 5 x White and 6 x Blue.

Blue team to be coached.

Instructions

Offside rules apply.

Play 4 White (plus GK) v 2 Blue in one square. When the four white attackers breakout they have to try and beat the four blue defenders. The aim for the four defenders is to protect the goal behind them or the line which is front of them. Defenders cannot cross the line in front of them. If defenders win the ball they aim to play into their target player. IF there is no pressure on the ball, white can score from anywhere.

Whites get two points for scoring in the goals, 1 point for driving through the line and dribbling over the far goal line.

Blue get 1 point for playing into the target man.

Coaching Points:

No pressure on the ball, drop off and protect the line and defend the goal behind.

Pressure on the ball we need all press together

Cues to Press:

Bad touch

Attacker facing backwards

Remain compact - slide across

Dog leg when ball is played dwon the wing by the white players.