Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Pressing in Attacking third

Arrival activity endzone game (15 mins)

3v3 endzone games - Players in groups of 3 (or 2, adapt where ncessary), play against each other on individual pitches. Ball starts in attacking teams End zone where they can pass to a team mate without opposition. The aim is to get the ball into the opponents endzone either by dribbling or by passing to a team mate. If the ball is under control when an attacking player dribbles or receives the ball in the end zone, the attacking team is awarded a point. The team in possession can initially retreat to their end zone to restart their attack (safe zone). Alternate teams so each time plays one another, each games lasts 3 minutes. Practise time 15-20 minutes. 

If more than 12, can have pairs, 6 teams instead of 4 and have 2v2 or 3v2 games also.

Progressions:

- A player can use their safe zone for a minimum of 4-5 seconds and attacker can stay in the oppositions endzone for the same period (offside). 

- A player can now be pressed in their own endzone and will be called offside if they arrive in the opponents endzone before the ball does.

- Initially when the ball is one in the endzone, it must be played out and played back in by the team in possession. After a a few games, the team score a point if they steal the ball in the oppositions' end zone.

Coaching points:

Press: Sprint (shut down), slow down and stay touch tight (broken arm's distance) stay low and look to force error and either intercept any pass or use poke tackle to win the ball cleanly and attack.

Delay, Deny, Dictate: Using "big" body shape, on toes to anticipate any pass or dribble, deny passing options/ lanes and look to dictate using body shape (facing where you want the person on the ball wants to go to) with feet in opposition.  

Screen: Cover and support to ensure space behind defence covered and player pressing the ball can do so without worry of being exploited. 

Creativity and goal scoring: early shot if available, fast attacking play running with the ball, looking to combine with other attacking players using penetrating or creative (disguised) pass to exploit out of balance defence and create scoring opportunities.

Interventions: get players to discuss how to score more points at each interval based on the topic, coach can guide based on coaching points (how can you work as a three to win the ball? Who needs to press, and what do the other players need to do?), individual coaching (fly by) during or between games (what went well, even better if?).

Coaching position: On the sides of each game and on the pitch to help individuals where appropriate

Pressing in the last third (30 mins)

Organisation: Out of possession (focus) playing 1-2-4-2 (in possession) vs 1-3-4-1 (6v6, 7v6 or 7v7, adapt further if there are 15, 16 players or use one half if less, for example 7-9 players). Ensure there are plenty of footballs by the goals to ensure repetition. Aim is to win the ball in the attacking third and try to score a goal.   

The practise starts with the the goalkeeper who either takes a goal kick or throws the ball to one of his team mates. Initially opposition can not tackle (unbeknownst to the team in possession) as they look to work on body shape, force error and  intercept (5 - 10 minutes). After some successes both teams  allow tackling (full pressure, no sliding tackles) (10-15 minutes), rotate players so both sets of players get an opportunity to try different positions and scenarios in. Try to use 2 halves for this practise, so more repetition can occur (2 footballs at a time, 1 in each half).

Individual focus: Striker (9)

Unit focus:  Striker(s) and Wingers or Striker, attacking midfielders and wingers.

Primary focus: Win the ball in the attacking third

Secondary focus: Stop the ball going into midfield

Tertiary: Create goal scoring opportunities.

Opposition management: Look to get the ball to the midfield player (4).

Coaching position: On the sideline but a particular focus on the front 3.

Coaching points:

Press: Sprint (shut down), slow down and stay touch tight (broken arm's distance) stay low and look to force error and either intercept any pass or use poke tackle to win the ball cleanly.

Delay, Deny, Dictate: Using big body shape, on toes to anticipate any pass or dribble, deny passing options/ lanes and look to dictate using body shape (facing where you want the person on the ball wants to go to) with feet in opposition.  

Screen: Cover and support (if 3 players in the middle) to ensure space behind defence covered and player pressing the ball can do so without worry of being exploited. 

Check shoulders: Awareness of part of the court a player is at, who has the ball and position in relation to ball, team mate (s) and oppositions team mates (both ends of the court. and space which could be exploited (passing lanes). 

Creativity and goal scoring: early shot if available, fast attacking play running with the ball, looking to combine with other attacking players using penetrating or creative (disguised) pass to exploit out of balance defence and create scoring opportunities.

Opposition management: Make as many through passes as possible to score; Decision making selection of pass type (short/ long), height, part of foot, which player to (touch on this briefly).

Interventions: Allow players to have a go for 5-10 minutes and guide learning by questioning what is working well and what could be better (allow both groups to decide this). Use of tactic board to show who are directly working with the 9 (units) and what they can do to win the ball (press, cover, support,  and 3Ds') During play regularly praise and re-iterate coaching points with striker and other parts of the units, use fly by's and look to stop play once in each half when there has been a success or repeated missed opportunities to win the ball.

Progressions, Allow teams to link with practise in the other half, using one ball and have both teams have to go through the middle player in order to have a successful attack?