Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): BFC 1/33

8 v 10 (25 mins)

Exercise Rules

Free Play -Blue score on the outside gates by dribble through to score - Red score on big goal - No Corner Kicks to allow repetitions - 3 consecutive restarts from Gk

FOCUS TEAM

Team Function

Defending

Objective

Deny forward penetration and force inaccurate passes in the central channel. Press the opponent when they get near the compact and organized block.

Team Tactical Principles

Press situations • Pressure/cover/balance • Stay compact

Player Actions

#9 - Communication! - Press the CB with the ball when dribbling towards the defensive block and deny the switch to the other center back. Ideally channel towards the outside. (moment/direction) - Readjust position when the ball is played outside to cover central space and opponent's #6 (moment/direction/position) #7 and 11 - Communication! -Cover central spaces behind on the strong side and weak side and force CB pass to the wide areas (position) - Readjust position when the ball is played to the outside back (moment/position) - Press and deny outside channel penetration and force a mistake (moment/position) #8 and 10 - Communication! - Cover central spaces and deny passing lines forward (position) - Press opponent's #6 when #9 channels the CB on your weak side (moment/position) - Press CB when #9 is out of position (moment/direction) -Press the midfield when the #7 and 11 press the outside backs (moment/direction/position) #6 - Communication! - Cover central spaces and deny passing lines forward (position) - Press midfielders when #8 or 10 are out of position (moment/direction) #2 and 3 - Communication! -Cover central spaces and deny passing lines forward on both strong side and weak side (position) be goal side - Press opponent's #11 and 7 when their outside backs are under pressure and corral to the sideline (moment/position)

OPPONENT TEAM

Team Function

Attacking

Objective

Possession to unbalance or disorganize the focus team. Move the ball and wait for opportunities to pass or dribble forward to break lines. Switch to the other side if you can't go forward.

Team Tactical Principles

Spread out • Pass, dribble, hold • Create diagonals

Player Actions

Defenders - Pass/dribble forward - Channel (moment/direction) - manage and create space (position) - Switch play if you can't go forward (moment/direction) Midfielders - manage and create space (position) - create passing lines when CB and Outside Backs are under pressure (moment/direction) - Pass/dribble forward - (moment/direction) - Switch play if you can't go forward (moment/direction) Forwards - manage and create space (position) - create passing lines when CB, Outside Backs, and midfielders are under pressure (moment/direction)

4 v 4 + Jokers (20 mins)

Organization

Mark out two 36 x 24-yard fields. Divide players into four teams of four. Free play: Teams play 4 v 4 on 8-yard goal lines without goalkeepers (pass on the ground to score). Goals scored after winning the ball in the opponent’s half count double. Play for 30 minutes with two-three breaks.

Keywords

immediate pressure, force them backwards

Guided Questions

1) Why is it good to win the ball in the opponent’s half? 2) How can we keep them from moving the ball forward? 3) Where should we try to force them to move? 4) As a covering defender, how can you stay involved by communicating?

Answers

1) We’re close to their goal (closer for us to score). 2) Work together to close the openings. 3) Towards a covering teammate or backwards to their own goal. 4) By telling the pressuring defender the direction to force the opponent.

Notes

First break: Coach asks questions, players continue playing to discover answers. Second break: Players share answers with coach and each other. Refer to the Training Session Manual.