Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U14 Session 6: Function & SSG - Playing out from the Back (Start Time: 2016-02-22 16:20:00)

Function: Playing out of Defence - 5v3 to targets (5 mins)

Organisation

Use half a full pitch.

Divide players into two teams - blues (4 players) and whites (10 players). White players start with 4 man defence, 2 man screen, goalkeeper together with three white target players placed on the half way line. Before three white target players taske their position, illustrate the team set up as it would appear in a match, with the 8, 7, 10 & 11 forming a midfield diamond. Blues start with no players on the pitch, to allow a walk through by the whites.

Instructions

1. White goalkeeper starts each time by playing ball to one of the 4 defenders or No.6 (deep lying screen) player or No.8 (advanced screen).

2. No player is allowed into the penalty area except for the goalkeeper.

3. To begin, white players simply look for passing opportunities amongst themselves before passing to a target player.

4. When blue team are introduced, and gain possession, they have 10 secs in which time to score.

Progressions:

1. Introduce the four blue players - playing 2 x CF and 2 CMF's.

2. Change how play is restarted so that any white target player lofts the ball to the white goal keeper.

Coaching Points

Effect The Left/Right Backs When in possession, effect the white left and right back to play high and wide - place cones to assist; thereby creating space not only for themselves, but potentially the centre backs also. This will increase the possible passing options for the GK (and also the Centre Backs, if the GK seeks to play the ball out to them first). In the event that either white left or right back is marked tightly by a blue player, can the left/right back create space by backing off as the GK prepares to kick, and sprinting forward, in an attempt to lose his marker (go to show) or 'show to go'? What is the trigger? GK looking up? Left/Right back to open body to receive the ball in order to command a fuller view of the pitch and the possible passing/running with the ball opportunities; Can the Left/right back use the front foot? What if the left/right back receives the ball under pressure? The front foot may no longer be appropriate; What communication can the left/right back use to assist the GK? 'Quick ball'? Can the LB/RB use passing lines to No.6 or No.8 if they offer support?

Effect Centre Backs - when the GK is in possession, how can they create space in order to receive the ball? Can the Centre Backs back off towards the corner of the area? Can they play in combination with each other - movement away from each other then sprint torwards each other to receive the ball? Can they interchange positions with each other to try to lose their marking players? What trigger can they use? 'Change' What if they're closely marked, can they remove themselves from the area, backing off, in order to allow the white No.6 player to drop deep to receive the ball from the GK? or switch with each other? Whereabouts do they want to receive the ball? Not inside the penalty area. Centre Backs - communication with each other is key.

Effect No.6 & No.8 - see over.

Effect No.6 screen - how can he assist the GK? Can he move into space to receive the ball from the GK in his deep lying position or if the Centre Backs move wide to take markers with them does that create a passing opportunity to No.6 direct? Can the No.6 interchange with either Centre Back if the Centre Back is closely marked - swap positions? Can he sprint into any spaces created by Centre Backs. If one CB moves towards the other, can the No.6 take his position quickly to receive the ball? Communication between Centre Backs and No.6? How will the No.6 know if the Centre Backs are seeking to get the GK to play the ball out to the No.6, with the No.6 being asked to drop deep to receive? 'Drop Deep' - who calls? Which Centre Back takes control?

If the ball is played to either LB/RB,<

Passing Lines to No.6 (5 mins)

A. No.6 drops between the 2 CB's to receive the ball.

B. No. 6 creates space in front of the CB's to receive the ball.

C. Right CB moves to centre of the edge of the area, and No.6 takes his place to receive the ball.

Passing options for No.6 upon receiving the ball:

1. LB/RB

2. GK & recycle

3. No.8

What if...? (5 mins)

What if...possession is lost by the RB?

No.6 drops between the 2 CB's until such time as the RB recovers, whereafter he takes up his role in front of the Back 4 protecting zone 14 in effect OR alternatively drops to cover the RB position - depends on who is nearest to fulfilling that function - No.6 or No.5 - need great communication so the CB's know what's expected of them.

No. 8 drops to provide cover and balance.

SSG: Playing out of Defence 8v8 (15 mins)

Organisation

Create a pitch using 10 yards over half a pitch;

Use a single regular sized goal in one half, facing three mini goals placed 10 yards into opponents half;

Divide players into two teams - blue and white - 9 players in the white team 7 in the blue team;

White team to consist of goalkeeper, 4 defenders (2,3,4&5); 2 man screen (6 & 8); 2 WMF (7 & 11);

Blue team to consist of one attacker, 3 MF and 3 defenders - no goalkeepers - thus creating immediate overload for white team;

White team to be coached.

Instructions

1. Play (re)commences from white GK on all occasions;

2. Players seek to score goals in usual manner with white players having three target goals to aim at and blue players only one;

3. If blue team gain possession, they msu score within 10 seconds otherwise, play resumes with white GK.

4. White team seek to play from the back once in possession utilising high and wide right and left full backs and via No.6 or CB's or No.8.

Offside rule applies.

Progressions

1. If limited success is gained initially, instruct all blue players to start behind red cones when white team play out from goalkeeper; and No. 7 & 11 white player to play high centre back/defenders; Then, remove cones and allow high press by blue players; encouraging central defenders to create space by rotation etc. and switching play through GK where necessary;

2. Award 3 points if RB/LB manage to score in the goal immediately in front of them; 2 points if white MF (7 & 11) manage to score in the wide goals, or otherwise 1 point for any other white goal; Blue team score 2 points for each goal scored;

Coaching Points

Building on from the function:

Effect the GK - Accurate delivery of the ball. Don't delay - otherwise space will be closed down. Can wee start our attack from the back? Play onto the front foot. Communicate with players. Be vocal - provide orders and information.

Effect The Defensive Unit - If the Right/left back runs forward with the ball, can MF or two man screen provide support - overlap/underlap with 7 & 11? How should the rest of the Defensive Unit be positioned if either left/right back runs forward with the ball? CB's to push up; No.6 to remain in front of CB's - can the other LB/RB advance? If so - No.6 to be mindful of cover if possession is lost?

When defending, defenders to play as a compact unit - Centre Back to take control of the line; What else should the unit do as a whole as the ball is played out of defence? OUT or UP. Effect the LB/RB's - if one runs forward with the ball should the other one attack also or defend? Defend - holding the line with the CB's or pushing slightly further up field to take the space in front OR if confident - advance - leave No.6 to screen. What if possession is lost? Regain the defensive line - recovery run - and play compact - all four defenders across the width of the penalty area as high as possible; Otherwise No.6 to drop back into defensive line unti lrecvoery in achieved. No. 6 & 8 to then protect zone 14.

Effect No.6 & 8 - when building up the attack - provide support. No.8 to be more advanced than No.6. If possession is lost, No.6 to take on a defensive role - dropping into the back 4 as necessary whether as CB, RB or LB. Once shape is regained, both No.6 & 8 protect zone 14 - playing just in front of the back 4.

Effect Midfield 7 & 11 - If the RIght/Left back brings the ball forward, can the nearest MF player provide support? One-two? overlap? avoid taking the left/right backs space? What if the left/right back pushes further forward? Should the MF provide defensive support or attacking support? As we now have No.6 & 8 playing as a screen, 7 & 11 should attack, as should No.8 - No.6 will remain more defensive. If the nearest MF player is