Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): USING INTENSITY TO PRESS

TIC TAC TOE (15 mins)

TIC TAC TOE

2 groups of players ¦ 15mins in total

SESSION AIMS

Introduce high intensity running without the ball, tying in to later in the session. Remind the players that intensity without the ball is very important

SET UP

• 3x3 tic-tac-toe grid in the centre of the playing area
• Four cones - two white and two black. A white and black cone 5m from the grid on opposite sides, and another white and black cone 2m from the grid opposite each other - as per diagram
• Two sets of four markers (eg bibs, discs, cones etc) at 2m cones
• The players are split into two teams and line up opposite each other at their 5m distanced cone

• Players race around their corresponding colour cones, collect a marker and place it in an empty space on the grid
• Once placed, they run back to the start and high-five a teammate who can then set off
• As only four markers are available for each team, once all markers have been placed in the grid, the players must then move one of their cones or one of their opponent's cones into the empty space in the grid instead
• First team to get three in a row is the winner

• How fast can you run? Can you run really quickly and then make a good decision at the end without rushing? Can you have a fast body and a calm mind?

PLAYING AGAINST A PRESS (20 mins)

PLAYING AGAINST A PRESS

6 v 5 ¦ 5min games ¦ 4 games in total

SESSION AIMS

Demonstrate the scenario of playing against a high press by going through or over the oncoming players. Focusing on using possession to work through a press and going over the press as an alternative to prevent players getting into the habit of long passes - which are a valid option but easy to rely to heavily on

SET UP

• 45m x 30m grid split into 3 sections of 15m x 30m with a goal at on end
• Footballs at the goal for restarts
• Coach stands at end opposite to goal between two cones 5m apart
• Players set into two equal teams with one player designated as a goalkeeper
• Yellow team starts with the ball at their goalkeeper's feet and can stand anywhere in the grid
• Blue team start in zones 1 and 2
• Players loosely set into roles such as "defence", "midfield" and "attack" but allowed freedom to move and rotate

ACTIVITY

• Yellow team must try to pass the ball to the coach
• They are awarded five points if they can pass the ball from to the coach with at least one pass in every third of the pitch without losing possession
• The yellow team are also awarded three points if they win the ball in zone 1 and pass the ball to the coach
• Finally the yellow team are awarded one point if they pass the ball to the coach with any other combination of passes or regains of possession
• If the blue team score, they gain a number of points based on the zone number that they regained possession. Three points in zone 3, two points in zone 2 and one point in zone 1
• If the ball goes out of play, it restarts with the goalkeeper
• After each game, the teams swap roles
• Players should try and find space when in possession and reduce space as much as possible when out of possession

• Can we pass the ball through their defenders if they overcommit to tackles or pressing? Is it okay to pass long when we need to?
• Can we use the intensity of the press to rush and unsettle the possession team?
• Can we swap from an attacking to a defending mindset quickly?

• To simplify: Create two zones only, simulating the halves in a game, and allow throw ons for restarts
• To challenge: Add a touch limitation. Players can use a maximum of one touch OR a minimum of 4 touches. If they take a second touch, they must take at least 2 more to encourage dribbling as well as fast passing