Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Playing out from the back against high press.

Technical Practice

Organization:

Set up as shown.

Instructions:

- Both teams play at the same time in opposite directions.

- The ball starts with GK who plays out to one of the center backs.

- CBs must look to play out through FBs or CMs.

- Full backs can dribble across into the other half but their first touch must take them through the gate.

- Full backs can move into opposite half but must travel through the gate.

- Players can pass across half way line but it must be played on 1 touch.

- Once the ball is in the opposite half, team mates can join (ensure defensive balance) and pass to opposite GK.

- Pass into opposite GK must be played on 1 touch.

- Players get back into shape and start again as soon as the ball is being played into opposite GK.

Coaching Points:

- Look to receive the ball in a side on position.

- If you receive the ball facing backwards, quickly play to someone facing forward.

- Look for furthest forward pass that is safe to play.

- Be in a position to supprt player in possession in-front or behind.

- Ensure defensive balance.

Progression:

- Limited touches.

- DM/CM (6/8) must touch the ball before playing to ATM (10).

Skill Practice

Organization:

Set up as shown.

Instructions:

- Skill practice starts with the coach playing an over-hit pass into GK. The coach adds variations to restarts to pose different problems for the reds to solve).

- Reds look to identify different ways of playing out of pressure i.e. around, through or over pressure.

- Reds score by dribbling through the counter goals or passing into the counter goals.

- Reds are allowed two transition moments i.e. when transitioning from attacking to defending (whenever the ball is lost, they have two chances to win it back, if possession is lost on the third time, the game restart from beginning).

- Blues press aggresively and look to score in the large goal.

- Blues are awarded three points if they win possession in the attacking third and score.

Player Tasks:

GK #1.

- Start central so it's not obvious which way you're going to play.

- Find furthest forward pass safely whenever possible

- Provide support underneath for CBs and FBs whenever they are on the ball.

- If the ball is played back from one side, can you quickly switch out the other side?

- Play the ball to the player in the biggest space.

- Recognize when to speed the game up and slow play down at appropriate time.

Centre backs #4 & #5.

- Split to create diamond with GK and deepest CM.

- Get in a position where you can receive the ball facing forward in space?

- Can you find the furthest forward pass whenever possible?

- Can you be in a position where you can support the player on the ball?

- If there is space in front, can you drive forward?

Full Backs #2 & #3

- Be in a position to receive to feet or beyond marker in space

- Drive forward if there is space in-front of you.

- Look for furthest forward pass when ever possible.

- Balance in attack to recognise when to join or cover.

Holding Centre Midfielder #6 or #8.

- Can one central midfielder come short and one move higher

- If CB's under pressure, drop to create a back 3 (if gap between CB is big, drop between them. If gap is small, drop out wide of them - release FB's)

- Look to hurt the opposition with balls in behind their defensive line to attackers

- Look to play & receive passes between opposition lines

- If we can't attack down one side, find a position where you can receive and quickly switch to the opposite side

- Interchanging movement with other midfielders to create space to receive

- Recognise when to join attack and when to cover.

Attacking Centre Midfielder #8/10.

- Can you find a position to receive between the oppositions defensive lines.

- Get into a position where you can support the ball into forward players in front or behind defensive lines.

- Look to play early balls through/over the opposition defensive line.

- If the ST comes short to receive, can you look to get into space behind?

Striker #9/10.

- Can you position yourself high up the pitch to receive or threaten in behind the opposition defence?

- If coming short to receive, make movement to the ball late.

- Hold up ball and wait for support if you can’t turn or play forward.

- Dribble effectively to engage defenders in 1v1’s.