Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Tactical Development Task

Specific Practice (15 mins)

Coach Task 1: Considering the importance of the opposition, if you were planning a session on dealing with a #10. What would be the main principles you would work to? What would be the main focus of the session? Please plan a Specific Practice and work to defensive principles to stop the opposing #10 getting on the ball.

7v7 + 2 GK. Reds defending the lines and defending to blue number 10. Shape of red team is 2 full backs - 2 CBs - 1 CDM (1v1 with blue number 10) - 2 CMs. It is a 15 minutes practice and first 7 minutes ball starts from blue team GK. Last 8 minutes ball starts from both goals. If red team wins the ball they have 10 seconds to score. Last 3 minutes it is free game.

Block1: Blues will be encouraged to break the lines especially they will aim to meet the ball with blue number 10. Blue number 10 will be asked to find a space to receive the ball.

-Red cdm will be asked to mark the blue number 10 very closely and energetically. Red cdm will mark blue number 10 from inside shoulder and also watch the ball and number 10 in the same time.

-If blue number 10 is successful to take red cdm, red cb who is in the close side will step up to defend blue number 10 and other red cb will cover.

Block 2: Blue number 10 will be asked to make rotation with blue striker.

-In this scenario red cdm won't follow the blue number 10 and red CB's wont' change their position. They will all stay narrow and compact to defend the lines.

-If blue striker who made rotation received the ball, red cdm will press him and CB in the close side will cover and other cb will mark blue number 10 who became in ST position.

Coaching points: -Stay narrow and compact

-Leave the furthest player

Coach Task 2: When effecting players, logically who is the player that you affect first? What is the importance of affecting additional players in the same intervention?

Player to affect first is red CDM. Because he is the closest player to blue number 10. There is importance of affecting additional players: - As I explained in this session, Red CBs are affecting players. If red cdm is not successful to defend blue number 10, red CBs will defend and block to shot of blue number 10.

-Also red full backs needs to make the space narrow as blue number 10 can find a space.

-Also red CMs needs to make it narrow and defend the line between them to block the pass.

These are examples of importance of affecting additional player.

Coach Task 3:

What are the main considerations for any team when defending and attacking based on a context of the opposition attacking central and wide areas? 

Defending considerations – When the opposition are attacking centrally: -Staying narrow and compact because this is how we can defend the lines and block the pass. -Triggers are important to know when to press. -Body shape, staying inside shoulder when defending central area is helping.

 When the opposition are attacking wide areas: -Shuflle as a unit and know the reference points. -Still narrow and compact defending. -Cover. -Showing outside. 

Attacking considerations – When you are attacking centrally: - Creating space. - Weight of pass. - Decision making. -Quick pressure and cover after losing the ball.

When you are attacking wide areas: -Creating space and making runs like overlaps. -Quick pressure and cover after losing the ball.