Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): High Pressing U8-U11

5v2 Three zone transfer Possession (20 mins)

FUNCTION

• This is a three-zone transfer possession game in which there are three teams of four players, each wearing a different colour (Teams A, B and C in the diagram).

• Diagram one, right, shows a scenario in which Team A plus the goalkeeper are playing 5v2 against the two Team B defenders in one end zone.

• The five players in possession of the ball must attempt to play through or around the defenders in their zone and then play to the team in the opposite end zone (in this case, Team C). The two Team B players in the middle zone are able to intercept passes.

• The ball must be transferred to the GK in the opposite end zone, as shown in diagram one.

• As the ball is transferred into the opposite end zone, the game shifts from one half to another, with the defenders shifting across in their pairs. Diagram 2 shows where the the players end up, with the defenders in the left end zone moving to the middle zone, and the defenders in the middle zone moving to the the right end zone.

• If the defending team steal possession, they try to score in the goal of the team that has lost possession. If they score they become the team in possession in the end zone, while the team who has conceded become the defending team. If no goal is scored, another ball is fed to the opposite end zone and the defending team continues to press.

• If a team in possession pass the ball out of play, they then become the pressing team.

• The game continues as the transition from pressing to in possession is made.

COACHING DETAIL: TECHNICAL

ANGLE OF APPROACH

• Players should attempt to angle their approach to the player in possession to try and direct the pass of the opponent.

• They should attempt to get pressure on the ball quickly and attempt to force play wide and prevent the opponents from switching play.

BODY SHAPE

• Players should adjust their body shape as they get close to the player in possession. They should attempt to get low to the ground and make a ‘wide base’ with their legs in order to mirror movements of their opponent.

COVER

• The players who are not putting pressure on the opponent in possession should look to provide cover. In order to do this they should be in a position which allows them to press the opponent in possession if their teammate is beaten. Covering players should also be in a position which might allow them to intercept a forward pass.

ANTICIPATION

• All of the out-of-possession players should be looking to anticipate their opponents’ next move. Players should attempt to read ‘triggers’ and ‘cues’ as to where the opponent will be passing next, aiming to remain one step ahead of the player in possession to win the ball back through a tackle or interception.

6v6 +Gks (20 mins)

FUNCTION

• This is a conditioned small-sided-game in which the pitch is split into two halves and three channels.

• Normal football rules apply until a goal is scored.

• Once a goal is scored the team who scored (Team B) have to try and win the ball back within eight passes of the opponents (Team A) restarting the game from their goalkeeper in order to keep their goal. Team A cannot score a goal within these eight passes.

DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE

• Allow the team who have just conceded (Team A) to try and score within eight passes after the game’s restart.

• The number of passes needed to keep a goal after a restart can be increased or decreased.

COACHING DETAIL: OUT OF POSSESSION

LOCKING PLAY WIDE

• The out-of-possession team should be encouraged to ‘lock play wide’. This is through directing the opponent’s play to wide areas and providing cover inside to prevent switches of play. When doing this the out-of-possession team should have all their players in the two channels nearest the ball.

SETTING TRAPS

• The out-of-possession team should attempt to set ‘traps’ for their opponents to play into. These traps should be set in the outer channels, and are linked with the previous point of locking play wide. Once the opponents have played into a ‘trap’, players should press with intensity to win the ball.

PRESSING AGGRESSIVELY

• As the opponents move the ball, players should be encouraged to press aggressively to get pressure on the ball.

• Any pressing player putting significant pressure on the ball should be praised throughout the practice, as this will generally lead to misplaced passes for teammates to intercept, or winning possession through a tackle.