Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Reaction to Losing the Ball Higher Up Pitch

Reaction to Losing Ball in Middle 3rd

Set Up:

- All players in middle 3rd with reds (team working with) in an attacking transition

- Reds have 1-4-3 and Blues have 3-2+1

- Funnel pitch at target player end as we are playing a 3v3 in the midfield excluding opposition full backs or our WFs. (If these players are included then we can open up closed parts of pitch). Just ensures the players are defending in the correct spaces and areas.

- PHILOSOPHY: We want 4-5 seconds of FURY - Aggressive pressing and cutting of angles with a lesser worry of space in behind. (Provided we are adequate distances and in right areas of pitch etc).

-IMPORTANT: If we have extra player do not give to blues - This is because when the target player recieves and attacks the blues will then have an overload which only allows us to drop and shape up as opposed to press. (Defending outnumbered requires dropping and protecting space in behind).

- We could give extra player as another target player and split the two target players through the middle areas.

Game:

- Reds work ball from GK into yellows to score a goal

- Blues try to win the ball and can score

- Once ball gets to a yellow, they can attack with the blues creating our transition and reaction from reds

- If blues score they get a goal and if reds win again the can counter the counter and play into yellows for another goal (another wave of attack will start with the new yellow who has just recieved).

Coaching Points:

- Nearest player: Can I press? What distances am I from the player who has just won the ball?

- IF PRESS, PRESS HARD:

- Go as a 2 minimum - Can one close on the ball and the second cut the nearest most obvious option.(Not by standing infront of them but by getting close to player on ball)

- Need a 3rd player to 'sweep' the space behind the press incase we are bypassed

- Need defensive line to read the press and pushing higher up pitch and need to bring line higher to reduce gaps between the lines

- Once you have pressed, drop back into your spaces and cover areas

- RECOVER into spaces when teammates go and press

- Once pressure is finished and opposition have kept the ball, hold a shape and protect space in the midde and in behind

- Comunicate up the units, not just within the units. - GK -> DEF -> MID -> ATT

IF DROP, CONDENSE AND DONT ALLOW MIDDLE, CUTTING FORWARD PASS:

- Drop into a shape - Especially middle 3, dont allow ball through you

- Full backs tuck in and CBs tighter

- Make them play into corners where we can then go out and press the cross situation

- If player on ball drives forward, line of engagement - 25yrs from goal we need to put pressure on this player. (OR DONT ALLOW PLAYER TO DRIVE MORE THAN 5 YRDS).

- Body shape to force AWAY FROM GOAL

Condiderations:

What is causing us to be far away from the yellows to press immediately & win ball early?

LONG BALL INTO YELLOW CAN EFFECT ABILITY TO PRESS - With this thought, can we play shorter possession-based football and make sure as the ball moves up the pitch the centre backs and deeper players and moving up the pitch. GK INCLUDED!

What Ifs?

- We are beaten from the press and end up outnumbered and out balanced? We need to delay and drop narrowing as we drop. Recoveries from higher players onto ball essential.