Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): High & Low Pressure (Start Time: 2014-02-06 17:30:00)

4 v 4 (+3 Neutrals) (20 mins)

Suitable for 8's - 18's. Simply reduce pitch size as players get older.

This game should end with the players playing predominantly one and two touch, without the coach having to put those restrictions on the game. Very little dribbling/turning.

4 Reds v 4 Blues, + 3 Neutral Yellows. No player is restricted in where they can go. The key to success for the team in possession ( Reds at the moment ) is to maintain their disciplne and stay roughly between the two cones as indicated. This way the player with the ball will have more options. More triangles are created and the 4 defenders ( Blues at the moment ) should struggle to regain possession.

As soon as the defending team make a regain the game continues and they should make their way to the gaps between the cones as quickly as possible.

Progression / More than 11 Players

If you have more than 11 players, create extra neutrals that are positioned outside the work area with a ball each. These players must manipulate a ball continuosly (with info from coach ie. in and out of the spare balls / a specifc trick etc) until the game breaks down because the ball leaves the work area. As the game breaks down an external player drives in with a new ball. At this point an internal neutral must rotate out of the work area and collect a ball to begin working on the outside of the grid.

By having a player drive in with a new ball a high tempo is immediately created and the awareness of all players is hightened both inside and outside the grid.

Learning Objectives

Recognising where to position yourself to be available for a team mate. Learning that by having the discipline to maintain your position, by shuffling only a few yards in any direction, your team mates will always know where you are and will be able to retain possession more easily.

Technical

Body shape. Always open to see as much as possible / to be aware of as many options as possible.

Passing. Weight / Timing of release

Receiving, away from pressure, to entice pressure.

Direction changes, ball manipulation.

Tactical

Understanding where to position yourself to be available for the ball, and being aware of as many of your options as possible when in possession of the ball.

Physical

Low to medium intensity when in possession.

High intensity when out of possession.

Psychological/Social

Intelligence to expand pitch when necessary.

Desire to deny space without the ball.

Knowledge of triggers of when to press.

High Pressure (30 mins)

Details

Reds defend - Blues attack

- The goalkeeper and defenders try to play out of defence and score in one of the two mini goals.

-The three attackers must try to stop them by putting pressure on the defenders.

The three attackers press high to win the ball

- Can the attackers win possession and score a goal?

SSG ( High & Low Pressure) (20 mins)

The game is played in two 10 minute halves.

One team plays a high-pressure defence. When they do not have the ball, all their players squeeze into the first two zones to make the pitch compact.

The other team are playing a low pressure, counter attacking tactic. When they lose possession, they drop back to the bottom two zones, leaving the opponent`s defenders free from pressure at the back. Each team plays one half using each tactic.