Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Create the attack to finish the attack (Start Time: 2023-09-20 01:30:00)

Activation (15 mins)

• Eight players are divided into four pairs. Two teams, Red, Blue a on the inside of a smallplaying area, in possession.  The yellow team is working the outside of the box to provide extra players to play from. A fourth pair Blue will start in themiddle, as shown.
• The coach begins by passing into one of the in possession players. The six outside players should look to keep theball against a press from the two inside players for aslong as possible. They must also ensure it is transferredto the opposite side of the pitch every five seconds.  If not, possession is lost and team inside choses who is in next.   KEY TO KEEP TIME, COUNTDOWN IF NEEDED.
  
• The two defenders must attempt to win the ball ordisrupt possession as quickly as possible. If they winit back and have controlled possession, they shouldtry and and score in one of the four mini-goals anexample of this is shown in Diagram 1.
  
• If the defenders successfully score in one of themini-goals, they can choose any team of two to becomethe defenders
• If the ball is intercepted by the two defenders andthe ball goes out of play, the team of two that gavepossession away will become the defenders
  
• These changeovers should be done quickly. The coachwill pass a ball into one of the possession team of six assoon as a goal is scored, a pass is intercepted or the ballgoes out of the area. 
• Each working block lasts for four minutes. 3 blocks - 12 mins ball rolling time.
  

KCP's

QUICK SHORT SWITCHES 

• The players must ensure the ball is switched to theopposite half of the pitch within three seconds. Playersshould look to use a maximum of two touches to ensurethis condition is met.

• Passes must be punched in with good weight anddirection throughout the possession games. This willlimit the chances of any interceptions or losses ofpossession.
  

•  The in-possession team must constantly be adjustingtheir positions to ensure a passing option is always onfor the player in possession. This should not be in straight lines if possible.
•  Players may need to make counter-movements inorder to create a new passing line if one is closed off bythe defenders.
  

• Set Traps
  • Defenders should work ball into tight areas then press with intensity to win ball back
• Work as a pair
  
• Pressing Triggers
  • Press hard on poor first touch, bad body position.

Function (15 mins)

 This is an 11v7 position-specific practice that can also beset up as an 11v8/9 if numbers allow. 

• The coached team of 11 (red) are set up in a4-3-3 formation. The defending Blue should be in a3-3 (diamond) formation, as shown in the diagram. 
• Team B are instructed to apply a low to mid-block toreplicate the upcoming opposition. 
• The ball begins with red goalkeeper. Theyshould attempt to play through and around Blue before getting a shot off on the opposition goal. 
• Reinforce messages from the previouspractices, and challenge the players to replicatepictures worked on during the first part of the session
• If Blue wins possession back, they should attempt toscore in the top goal.
• If a goal is scored or the ball leaves the pitch, playalways restarts with the Red goalkeeper. 
• Play for three blocks of five minutes. 

• The midfield three are challenged to move and rotate,to create a double pivot through which to recycle andswitch possession.

• The team of 11 must be patent in possession. Theyshould recognise when to play forwards and whento control possession to attempt to disrupt theopposition’s block.
  

• The coach should encourage the front three to stretchthe pitch when possible. This will create wide passingoptions for the central players, but also create space inthe middle of the pitch for the team to exploit.

• Players should be challenged to take a soft first touch,to allow them to make their pass quickly and with goodquality. This touch should be out of their feet to allowthem to step on to the ball.
  

• If a quick switch is played through central areas,the team should be able to attack the opponents’weak side. 
• The weak side will have space and gaps for the team toexploit if the switch is made with good ball speed.

• In controlled possession, the team should recognisewhere the opposition are strong. 
• The opposition formation in this practice gives themnumbers in the middle of the pitch, so the attackingteam should look to penetrate through wide areas first –or centrally, if gaps are created by moving the ball wide.