Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B - Specific Session 03

Specific 110 mins

Set Up

• Area Size - Half Pitch
• Both zone B's are the width from the touchline to the 18 yard box
• Zone A is the width of the 18 yard box

Objectives

• To switch play in the first third/defensive third using a link player positioned in Zone A
• To overload wide areas using quick, short passes to draw the opposition press and create space
• To capitalize on unopposed wide areas using direct, fast paced offensive actions, eg. Exploiting 1v1's, overlapping runs creating overloads or dangerous crosses into the box

Drill

• Both teams when in possession will look to switch the play using a link player in their defensive thirds, represented as the 'First Third'
• If successfully completed and rounded off with a goal, the team will score 2 points
• Despite the objectives, if a team wins possession higher than their defensive third, they will look to 'Play Real' attacking the goal and scoring without switching play in deep areas, giving them 1 point
• If the team in possession score, play will resume back in their defensive third ready to restart the game
• Offsides are also in-effective throughout

Coaching Points

In Possession

• Stretch the opposition and create space by expanding our shape
• Wide players positioning themselves high and wide to provide depth and width
• Overload wide areas to draw the opposition press using short, sharp bounce passes and intelligent movement
• Ensure players receive the ball with the correct body positioning, looking to play on the half turn allowing for fast progressions of play when played forwards or switched

Out of Possession

• Operate in a compact and narrow shape preventing progression through central areas
• Look to occupy the two vertical zones closest to the ball, ensuring shorter distances between players allowing the team to remain compact
• If possession is lost look to press aggressively for 5 seconds before reverting into a compact shape

Progressions/regressions

• 2 touch max for central link player in zone A
• Switch can be made without central link player, ball can travel from zone B to zone B directly

Specific 310 mins

Objectives

• To switch play using direct forward diagonal passes, looking to play through or over congested central areas
• Look to overload wide areas to draw the narrow and compact opposition shape away from the opposing flank
• Look to move the ball with intent and quality thus not allowing the opposition to settle in an organised shape

Drill

• Both teams when in possession will look to switch the play through direct forward diagonal passes into wide areas, playing the ball from one flank to the other
• If successfully completed and finished, the team will score 2 points
• If the team out of possession win the ball in higher offensive thirds they will look to 'Play Real', attacking the goal without a switch of play scoring them 1 point
• Once a goal is scored, play will resume back in the scoring teams defensive third ready to restart the game
• Offsides are also in-effective throughout

Coaching Points

In Possession

• When the wide man receives the switch in play they must look to attack quickly and with intent making the most of the space afforded to them, driving at goal, exploiting 1v1's or delivering threatening crosses
• The quality of pass is pivotal, the ball must have the correct weight and accuracy to ensure no turnovers occur while also allowing the attacker to take it in their stride
• Wide players should look to remain high and wide not only to offer width and depth but to give them an advantage when recieving the ball. With the opposition shape being very compact and the attacker being very wide, they will be afforded more time to take the ball down when recieving it while also being able to build attacking momentum when running at the defender
• When looking to overload wide areas players should constantly be attempting to draw the opposition press to disorganise opposition positioning and create space and passing channels, This can be done through playing short, quick bounce passes, manipulating the ball and incorporating intelligent off the ball movement

Out of Possession

• Operate in a compact and narrow shape attempting to prevent progression through central areas
• Look to occupy the two vertical zones closest to the ball, ensuring shorter distances between players allowing the team to remain compact
• If possession is lost look to press aggressively for 5 seconds before reverting into a compact shape
• If the ball is successfully switched, the team must re-organise with immense speed, shifting across the pitch to congested the space. The wide attacker should be pressed with aggression to prevent offensive actions while also being shown away from goal, forcing play back into central areas

Progressions/regressions

Upon receival of the switch the wide attacker has only 3 touches to influence the game and release the ball

Maximum of 1 opposition player in each B zone at a time, allowing for easier developments of overloads, executions of switches and crossing or shooting opportunities