Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Position Specific - CB Build up Play and Recieving Skills

FAW Coach Ed

Matthew Evans

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Session Theme:

Position-Specific Technical & Tactical Development
(Individual Development Plan – IDP Focus)

Player Focus (IDP Profiles):

Wide Attacker – Delivery under pressure, movement to receive, final-third decision-making
Wide Defender – 1v1 defending, body shape, delay and deny
Central Midfielder – Scanning, decision-making under pressure, transitional play
Central Defender – Defending the box, build-up play, first contact/clearance

Primary Focus for Session: Central Defender & Central Midfielder (IDP Players)

Session Format & Organisation:

Pitch Dimensions: 40m x 72m
Equipment:
- 5 mini goals
- 5 mannequins (used to simulate in-possession/out-of-possession reference points)
- Tactical frame with whiteboard to deliver key messages and visual cues at the start of the session
Role Allocation:
- IDP Players: Centre-Backs (CB) & Central Midfielders (CM)
- Support/Neutral Roles: Non-IDP players (managed by coach to serve practice demands)

Practice Design:

Duration:
- 2 x 8-minute blocks
- 2-minute active recovery/feedback between blocks
- Player roles rotated to maintain engagement and ensure repetition across contexts

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Technical-Tactical Focus (Per Player IDP):

Key Coaching Outcomes (Individual Detail):

Receiving with an open body shape (hips open to field)
Early scanning to identify passing options and pressure
Intelligent pass selection based on visual cues (type, direction, and target)
Pass execution detail:
- Appropriate weight
- Correct foot selection
- Use of disguise where appropriate
Emphasis on diagonal passes to break lines and switch the point of attack

Session Overview:

Blocks 1 & 2 – Unopposed Technical Repetition:

Start Point: Coach or non-working player serves into the CB or CM.
Player executes a pre-set sequence of passes, working through five different passing targets, each representing positional context:
- Full-Back (FB)
- Central Midfielder (CM)
- Opposite CM (switch)
- Wide Forward (LW)
- Centre Forward (CF)
Focus is on technical consistency, body shape on reception, and execution under minimal pressure.

Blocks 3 & 4 – Opposed Decision-Making:

Start Point: Coach feeds the working CB or CM under live pressure from a recovering or pressing player.
Player must receive, scan, and select the most effective passing option in real-time.
Coach may trigger a command cue (e.g., “Diagonal!”) to simulate tactical scenarios or influence decision-making under pressure.
A defensive mannequin line (2-3 structure) is positioned to replicate opposition mid-block shape and challenge the player to break lines and find penetrative passes.

Environmental Constraints & Design Detail:

Use of mannequins simulates defensive shape to enhance realism and positional awareness.
All passes must target mini-goals aligned to positional references, reinforcing spatial context.
Time or touch restrictions may be layered as progressions to increase decision speed.

Intervention Strategies: