Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): High Pressing 9v9 match

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Set Up: 9v9 game played on a 35m x 70m pitch. The pitch is split into asymmetrical halves: one half is 30m long, and the other half is 40m long. This creates different challenges for the two teams when they press. Both teams are set up in 1-3-2-3 formations. 

Format: A goal scored within eight seconds after winning the ball in the opposition’s half is worth three points. When the ball is in the bigger of the two halves Reds defensive half – all players must be in that half of the pitch. Offside lines comes into play for Blues defensive line. 

Key Points: Set traps, pressing team to force play into direction they want to close down space and prevent the opposition from playing forward. CM to hold of opponents to trick play into them then time the press to pressure the ball.

Aggressive pressing. Press with intensity & timing of movement to meet the ball as opponent receives it to deny space & time to get their head up & move forward with the ball.

Awareness -  Awareness is hugely important to all of the out-ofpossession team’s actions.  Players should attempt to read triggers and cues as to where their opponent will send their next pass. Once possession has been won, attempts should be made to break the opponent’s defensive line in as few passes as possible.