Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending from the front - High Press

Exercise (30 mins)

Objectives

- Be able to press quickly and deny space

- Stay compact and stop them playing through 'Gaps'

- Transition quickly to score once ball is won

The Session

Opposition team is to play out from the back with the aim of scoring in either mini goal... Defending team must press and stop them doing so!

Coaching Points

- Press as a unit

- Stay compact, preventing gaps.... making the pitch small

- Shuffle quickly to the side of the pitch... keeping the pitch small

- Force them back, if not around (dont let them through the middle!)

Progression

Introduce 'Triangle of Hell'

- Defending MUST NOT let opposition play through the triangle in the middle... force them around using the gegenpress

-Every pass played through the triangle = 10 Press ups for Blues

SSG (15 mins)

Objective

Situation game .... 1 team will focus on keeping the ball and other team will focus on pressing

One tean will have a goalkeeper and one will not, the team without a keeper will be 3-0 up and encouraged to keep possession and hold the lead.... the the with the goalkeeper are less vunerable and are encouraged to press high and counter when the ball is won - They must get through on goal by getting into the scoring zone.

10 minute games and then teams switch roles

last 10 is a normal SSG