Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defensive compactness to press

Intensity press (15 mins)

Intense press game 

2 teams of 6/7.

Instruction.

Each box starts passing a ball around to keep possession 

The defending team partner up to defend

First pair do quick feet between cones and sprint into the top box 2v3 and win the ball.

Once they have won it, they split off into 2v1 boxes and win the ball. 

Once they win that they sprint back to the start and tag next person to start.

Both teams will go twice over a 5 min period, whatever team wins the most balls in that time wins.

In possession team have 3 touch max.

Win the ball = intercept pass / kick out of the box

Out Of Possession focus:

- Intensity of the press must be fast 

- Work successfully in a pair, communication

- Body shape when defending, cutting space and passing options off

In Possession focus:

- Awareness of defenders running in

- Firm 1 touch passes 

- Movement in a small space to challenge defenders

Technical focus:

- Body shape cutting off passing options with a purpose 

Main - 3v3s (20 mins)

 Organization: - Full pitch with halfway line marked out

 - 2 teams of 4/5 (anymore split into 3 & use one team as floaters on outside

Instructions: - regular goal = 1 point 

- if team in defense wins possession in their attacking half and score = 2 points

- first team to 5 wins or 4 min

Coaching Points: - Pressure the ball immediately after losing it, using players closest to the ball

When to press?

When to press as a group?

Progressions: - if whole team is up in attacking half and possession is won and goal is scored =  3points