Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Specific Pressing anerobic session

High intensity pressing out of possession (30 mins)

Specific Pressing Anaerobic session

Working on defending keeping shape in the final third

Organisation

7 Red, 6 Blue bibs

Area size : Half pitch, two wide lanes for the two wide players. 18 box Counter attacking box

7 Blue v 8 Red including Goalkeepers

Footballs behind the Red goal

The Session details

The reds have an overload of 7 v 8 with 2 wide players staying in their zone, a striker, defender, No 10 and 2 x CM all staying in the shaded area.

Blues line up with a back 3, 2 CM and a striker.

Working with the blue team so we can press the nearest player, The red team  keep possession while switching play so the Blue team can get used to high intensity pressing while also blocking passing lanes to the No 10 and striker and making the pitch smaller. Start off from the Reds goalkeeper where the reds defender and Blue Striker have to stay in the 18 yard box, one of the reds midfielder can drop in to make it a 2 v 1. To begin with the Blue don't try to win the ball but the Reds can score if the No 10 or striker can get a shot off.  Blues work on closing the nearest player down getting their body position side on, forcing the direction of play and force them back. When the ball switches from one wing to the next can we as a defensive unit switch across.

4 x 3 min blocks with break for terminal feedback 

Challenges and conditions

1. Full pressure from the blues if they win the ball they can get the ball to the striker and 1 x CM can break in to the 18 yard box giving them a 2 v 1 advantage.

2. The Blue team work on keeping narrow, block passing lanes.

3. (If they are too successful) The Reds must score first time finish 

4. The Blue team has a set time limit to score

Physical Considerations

The session will be high intensity working on speed, agility, balance and coordination and strength.

Technical Returns

1. Close down the passing angles, force the direction of play. 

2. Communication so each other know who is pressing and protecting.

3. Protect the middle

4. Make the pitch smaller

Tactical

1. Be patient, wait for a mistake

2. Slow attacker down/Jockey.

3. Can we win the ball and counter

4. Distance between midfielders and defenders