Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Press, Win the Ball + Counter Attack with Quick Combination Play (Start Time: 2022-11-10 19:00:00)

Press, Win the Ball and Support Play in an 8 v 4 (+6) Possession Game (20 mins)

Objective: The players work on keeping possession after the transition from defence to attack.
Description
In a 35 x 35 yard area, we have 2 teams. The red team have all of their 8 players inside the area, using a
2-3-3 formation (from 4-3-3). The white team have 10 players in a 4-4-2 formation . 2 centre backs, 2 full backs and 2 forwards are positioned outside the area in the positions
shown and the 4 midfielders are inside.
The practice starts with the red team in possession and they play 8 v 4 inside the area and aim to complete
10 consecutive passes (1 point) or keep the ball for 12 seconds (2 points). The 4 red midfielders try to win the ball
or force their opponents into making a wrong decision. If the whites win the ball, they then try to keep possession
against the red team, using the outside players to support (8 consecutive passes = 1 point).
Rules
1. The white outside players are not allowed inside the area.
2. The red players and the white outside players are limited to 2 touches.
Coaching Points
1. The white midfielders (numerical disadvantage) need to press as a unit to limit space/time and win the ball.
2. After the whites recover the ball, they need to exhibit the following attributes: Speed, power, quality of
pass, good decision making, one-touch passing, correct angles and distances for support play and good
communication to avoid pressure from their opponents.

Coaching Points:

Out of possession

Make pitch small

communicate

force mistakes

In possession

Move ball immediately from turnover area

limit touches 

pass to feet

move to space with open passing lanes

Defend deep and counter conditioned game (30 mins)

Description
In this progression of the previous practice, we mark out 3 zones on a full pitch (as shown in the diagram) and we
add 2 full size goals with goalkeepers.
The practice starts with a red centre back (4 or 5) and the red team’s aim is to score a goal. The white team
must defend well in the low zone, try to win the ball and then make a quick transition from defence to attack
(under pressure from the reds). A minimum of 2 white players should leave the large zone to support the 2
forwards (9 & 11) and launch a fast break attack, finishing within 10-12 seconds.
Rules
1. The 8 red players in the large zone can only track back once the ball has crossed the halfway line.
2. The 2 red centre backs are allowed to enter the forwards’ zone and apply pressure to try and win the ball.
3. A red goal scores 1 point and a white goal scores 2 points (as long as it is completed within 10-12 seconds).
Coaching Points
1. The white players need to press as a unit to limit space/time in the first phase to win the ball.
2. There needs to be a rhythm to the timing of movement/runs, combined with good communication.
3. Players need to use quality and effective finishing in front of goal - using 1 touch whenever possible.

Coaching Points:

Out of possession

Make pitch small

Communicate

force mistakes

Move ball immediately from turnover area

Immediately make pitch large

limit touches

pass to feet

move to space with open passing lanes

Forward passes to counter

Out of possession

Make pitch small

communicate

force mistakes

In possession

Move ball immediately from turnover area

limit touches

pass to feet

move to space with open passing lanes