Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): 25th Feb - Pressing (Start Time: 2014-02-25 18:00:00)

TRFC (PDP) Pressing in Small Groups (10 mins)

Practice organisation

• Area 30x18yds area with 5yd channels at each end

of practice area, as illustrated.

• 18 players organised in 3’s as shown.

• Supply of balls, with coach.

• Groups of 3 are 5yds apart, facing opposition

on either end of area.

• Practice starts with: ball fed-in by coach to one

team who proceed to attack opponents 3v3 & move the ball

(under control) into opponents’ end zone to score.

Detail

• Pressing distance, stance & balance.

• Support distance, depth, angle & team balance.

• Tracking runners whilst maintaining eye-contact

with ball & developing play.

• Defending against wall-passes & movement of A’s.

• Simple progressions for this practice are:

- Add 1 player on each side line to assist team in possession &

increase potential to make wall-passes.

- Add T in opponent’s end zone to play into & receive a return pass

before entering end zone: this increases need for D’s to consider

screening passes to T.

- Service from the coach is varied:

a) Throw the ball in the air

b) Roll the ball in slowly

c) Roll the ball to slightly favour one team

Key coaching points

• Early decision to attack or defend.

• Take personal responsibility for opponent when deciding to defend.

• Press, cover, support & track opponents.

• Concentration & managing player inter-changes

of position, as a unit of three.

Defensive play whilst ‘in balance’

Pressing Possession (25 mins)

Objective:

Blues play left to right between their end men

Reds play top to bottom between their end men

Coaching Points: Pressing.

Recognise how much pressure is on the ball.

Press as the ball travels where possible.

Nearest man presses the ball.

Try to read the player in possession and predict where the ball is going (body language)

Recognise that you cant press the end man (discipline)