Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): High pressure to win possession

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Tony Hodson

Profile Summary

Name:
Tony Hodson
City:
London
Country:
United Kingdom
Membership:
Adult Member
Sport:
Football/Soccer
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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 2v2 Rondo wave practice

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 2v2 Rondo wave practice
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2v2 Rondo wave practice10 mins

Topic

  • Winning the ball high

Principle

  • Pressing to win possession

Time

  • 5 x 2-minute blocks

Players

  • Minimum of 8, split into two teams

Space/equipment

  • 20m x 20m/Balls, bibs and 3 mini-goals

Description

  • This practice is designed to give players an understanding of pressing in pairs, and using their body shape to reduce the opposition’s scoring options.
  • It features two teams positioned as shown. One team starts as the designated possession team, and should attack towards the end with the single mini-goal. The other team is the pressing team. Both teams attack and defend in pairs.
  • The coach begins the practice by playing into a player from the designated attacking team. Their first pair must then try to combine and score in the single mini-goal positioned on the opposite end line.
  • As soon as the ball enters play, the pressing pair must join and try to win the ball back. Their aim is to then score in either of the two mini-goals at the far end.
  • The designated attacking should look to stop them scoring, with the same two players who first attacked able to recover and aim to regain possession.
  • As soon as the ball goes out of play or a goal is scored, four new players – two from each team – enter the pitch and the practice repeats.
  • Play for five working blocks of two minutes, with the teams swapping roles between each block.

Coaching points

  • Timing of approach: Timing of approach: The pressing players should get up to the ball with speed in order to put the opposition under pressure. However, they should not overcommit and try to win the ball if the opposition have it under control.
  • Body shape: When the pressing players have reached the opposition, they should bend their knees and stand side-on, so they are able to force play into a certain area. The first pressing player should look to force play outside, and position their body at an angle to cut off the pass back into the middle.
  • Ready to sting: As players sense an opportunity to win the ball, they should be ready to ‘sting’ and press on an opposition player’s first touch. This might be a closed body shape, or a poor pass from which they can try to steal.
  • Playing forward: When players win possession, they should look to quickly pass forwards with accuracy in order to score. This replicates a counter-attack, and is a good habit for players to get into.
  • Out of pressure: As well as playing forward on regaining possession, passing ‘out of pressure’ is important. This may be towards the goal, or if the goal is instantly blocked it might be to their teammate away from the ball.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Pressing possession game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Pressing possession game
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Pressing possession game15 mins

Topic

  • Winning the ball high

Principle

  • Pressing to win possession

Time

  • 8 x 90-second blocks

Players

  • 12, split into two teams of six

Space/equipment

  • 30m x 30m/Balls, bibs and 4 mini-goals

Description

  • This pressing game features two teams of six players in a 30m square with a mini-goal in each corner, as shown.
  • One team begins as the possession team, with one player on each side and two in the central area.
  • The other team is the pressing team. They start with three active defenders in the central area and three inactive defenders on the outside.
  • The possession team is aiming to accumulate five consecutive passes in order to score a point.
  • The out-of-possession team must try to win the ball back by pressing. They are allowed to press any player, including the outside players.
  • If they win the ball, their aim is to play it into one of the mini-goals to score a point.
  • The possession team can stop them scoring by blocking the goals. If and when they lose the ball, they are allowed to send one more player into the middle to create a 3v3 in transition.
  • If the pressing team do not win the ball back within 30 seconds, the three pressers should swap with the three teammates positioned on the outside of the square – they then become the active defenders and have their own 30 seconds to try to win the ball.
  • Play for eight working blocks of 90 seconds, with the teams switching roles after each block.

Coaching points

  • Angle of pressure: It is important for the pressing team to work together to minimise the initial 6v3 overload. To do this, they must use their body shape to force play one way, make it predictable and attempt to force the opposition into small spaces.
  • The agitator: The first pressing player isn’t necessarily expected to win the ball. Instead, this ‘agitator’ can create pressure and allow it to be won from a following pass.
  • Second and third pressers: After the agitator forces play in a certain direction, the second and third pressers should look to sting bad passes, touches or body shape to win possession.
  • Quick transitions: Upon winning the ball, players should look to quickly transition into attack with forward passes into the mini-goals. They should limit their touches and look to score as quickly a possible.
  • Dispersal: To help their team keep possession in transition, players should disperse quickly and avoid any quick counter-pressure from the opposition.
  • Playing out of pressure: In attacking transition, players should aim to play the ball away from immediate pressure rather than dribbling. Passing into space will increase the chances of maintaining possession and scoring.
Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Themed small-sided game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Themed small-sided game
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Themed small-sided game15 mins

Topic

  • Winning the ball high

Principle

  • Pressing to win possession

Time

  • 6 x 2-minute blocks

Players

  • 14, split into two teams of seven, including goalkeepers

Space/equipment

  • 35m x 45m/Balls, bibs, flat markers and 2 goals

Description

  • This is a 7v7 (including goalkeepers) small-sided game with pitch constraints to bring out some of the principles of pressing high to win possession. The pitch is split into three zones, as shown.
  • The end zone closest to the opposition goal is the ‘agitator zone’, where the teams should begin their press. The middle zone is the ‘sting’ zone, where both teams should be encouraged to win the ball back when out of possession.
  • Play always starts with one of the goalkeepers. If the possession team manages to score in the opposite goal without the opposition winning it back, as shown, they score one point and play restarts back with their goalkeeper.
  • If the pressing team wins the ball back in the middle zone and goes on to score, they earn two points. If they win the ball in their attacking zone and score, they earn three points.
  • Play for six working blocks of two minutes, with the scores kept throughout.

    Coaching points

    • Forcing play from the front: Players from the pressing team should be looking to force play either outside or inside.
    • Stinging and reading triggers: Can players recognise when to be ready to sting as they see their teammates ahead ‘agitate’ for mistakes from the possession team?
    • Cover and balance: If players are not agitating (putting pressure on the possession team) or stinging (trying to win the ball back), can they provide support to cover any gaps that may allow opposition players to play forward?
    • Defending the long ball: If teammates aren’t able to get enough pressure on the ball, they should be prepared to drop and follow a long ball in behind.
    • Quick forward pressure: When regaining the ball, players should look to make quick transitions by passing the ball forwards to teammates to start counter-attacks.
    • Receiving under pressure: A big emphasis should be placed on players being comfortable and brave enough to receive the ball under pressure, and either dribbling out of pressure or quickly playing to a free player.

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