Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): COMBINATION PLAY

Screen 1 - EARLY ARRIVALS 10 Min (10 mins)

THE SESSION: PLAYING OUT OF THE BACK (IN POSSESSION)

Session Objective : Build-up’ efficiently and find players in advanced position

We are in possession and opposition set up with the 9 and four players in a high line of confrontation

Their line of confrontation and compactness create density in our defensive third. They press the ball carrier and limit forward short passing option. They also dictate the direction by forcing us to play one way

We are going to improve the team ability to maintain possession until we can progress beyond the first line of defense and find players in advanced position when 1/4/5/6 are in possession

HOW – What are the principles when we are in possession in our defensive half? TEAM TASKS / PLAYER TASKS

Create space and passing lines to maintain possession

Combine short passes to unbalance the opposition and penetrate

Change the point of attack when we can’t penetrate

PROGRESSIONS: EARLY PLAYER ARRIVALS

As we want to emphasize what we will concentrate on in the session we will have early arrivals execute with functional practice tryingto play out of trouble early under light defending and closing down with 4v2 or 5v3 Rondos

KEY MESSAGES/POINTS:

What: i want to make sure the player know that what we are doing is looking to play out of the pressing team that is closing them down the ball together in a pair as a unit . Making sure that they understand that this will take place in our defensive third of the field; When - In Possession - Playing out of the back Attacking. Why: We don’t create and use space to ‘build-up’efficiently and find players in advanced position . Service from 1/5/4/2/3/6 , We are in possession and opposition set up with the 9 and

four players in a high line of confrontation in our defensive half.

STAGE #2 - Orientation Phase (20 mins) (20 mins)

THE SESSION Objective : Positioning game in order to develop passing & first touch and decision-making under pressure

Same set up - 2 grids with 2 end zone (5 Red vs 4 Blue) – GKs play with Red

Ball starts with a pass to the GK who plays with #5 and #4 in the build up zone.

The free player

Red : Progress the ball into the end zone – 1pt / Defend their end zone

Blue : Defend their end zone, try to regain the ball as early as possible and progress the ball into the other end zone – 1pt

PROGRESSIONS:

1st and 2nd interval – 2 fields / 2 balls

Can we create passing lines to have a good positional structure & maintain possession?

Player in possession : Can we play a player who is free from direct opponent

All: Can we provide options far/deep/wide to allow us to make space

Can we combine passes to find players in space and unbalance opponent?

Player in possession : Can we pass the ball quickly and move to receive the next pass?

All: Can we make the field big and stretch opponent - Can we dragg opponent by moving to an unoccupied space

3rd interval – 2 fields / 1 ball

Can we recognize the moment we can’t unbalance opponent?

Player in possession : Can we pass the ball quickly to the GK

GK: Position yourself in order to receive and pass to the other CB (on the other side)

All in the other side: Ensure passing lines are open

Why - Experience the situation and familiarization with the problem.

Develop passing & first touch under pressure and improve player positioning and decision-making.

What - Team Task:Positioning Game

Create space and passing lines to maintain possession ,Combine short passes to unbalance the opposition and penetrate, Recognize the moment to change the point of attack

What - OrganizationOrganization : 20 MInutes – 5 minute intervals (3)

40 x 20 m grid - Set up practice on both sides of the field

10 players per grid divided into two different teams (GKs+ 5 v 4)

Explanation/Progression - Ball starts with a pass to the GK who plays to#5 and #4 can receive the ball in the build up zone to the free player

White

1st and 2nd interval, 2 balls : Progress the ball into the end zone – 1pt / Defend their end zone

3rd interval, 1 ball : if we can’t create space on one side, move the ball out from the pressure zone and change the point of attack with the GK who plays to the other side

Progress the ball into the end zone – 1pt / Defend the goal

Yellow - 1st and 2nd interval, 2 balls : Defend their end zone, try to regain the ball as early as possible and progress the ball into the end zone – 1pt

3rd interval, 1 ball : Defend their end zone, score in the big goal

KEY MESSAGES/POINTS:

Coaching - Manage opposition - Try to recover the ball high and as soon as possible Guided discovery, guided questions Player Tasks

Key words - Can we create passing lines to have a good positional structure & maintain possession?

Player in possession : Can we play a player who is free from direct opponent

All: Can we provide options far/deep/wide to allow us to make space

Can we combine passes to find players in space and unbalance opponent?

Player in possession: Can we pass the ball quickly and move to receive the next pass?

All: Can we make the field big and stretch opponent - Can we isolate opponent by moving to an unoccupied space, Can we recognize the moment we can’t unbalance opponent?

Player in possession Can we pass the ball quickly

STAGE #4 - Implementation - The Game (20 mins) (20 mins)

THE SESSION:

Why - Observe improvement in player behavior. Are they able to recognize and apply what have been shared in stage 2 and stage 3 in real game situation?

What - Training game Improve the team ability to build up in the defensive third against opposition’ s high line of confrontation

What - Organization - Organization : 20 Minutes - 9 minute

intervals (2)

11v11 with Laws of the Game

Coaching Observation – Focus on what happens 'off the ball' and look at the process of creating time and space to control the ball, develop possession and positions, and create attacking opportunity.

Side line coaching Guided questions during playing and natural stoppages Team Tasks

KEY MESSAGES/POINTS:

Key words - When in possession in our defensive half Organize the team offensive structure

Maintain possession and combine passes to unbalance the opposition and penetrate / Recognize the moment to change the point of attack , Upon winning the ball . Can we exploit space behind the opposition’s defensive block/line without compromising ball possession. If no, can we create passing lines and move the ball out from the pressure zone

When we lose the ball - Quick transition into Defending position. - Organize the Team defensive structure , Regain possession as early as possible . if we can’t, Recover quickly to reorganize the Team behind the ball. Compact and aggressive team shape denying opposition ball progression

OBJECTIVE : Can we apply these principles and tasks in real game situation - Get our 2 / 3 or 8/10 in beyond the defensive line and unbalance opponent?

How? Create space and passing lines to maintain possession , Combine short passes to unbalance the opposition and penetrate, Recognize the moment to change the point of attack , When in possession in our defensive half, Organize the team offensive structure Maintain possession and combine passes to unbalance the opposition and penetrate, Recognize the moment to change the point of attack , Upon winning the ball

Can we exploit space behind the opposition’s defensive block/line. If no, can we.......

Create passing lines and move the ball out from the pressure zone / Recognize the moment to change the point of attack

When we lose the ball - Quick transition into Defending position. - Organize the Team defensive structure Regain possession as early as possible . if we can’t, Recover quickly to reorganize the Team behind the ball. Compact and aggressive team shape denying opposition ball progression