Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Create and Finish Low Block (4-3-3)

Area Layout

Area Layout

Passing Pattern- combination play up, back, through 2.0

Set Up

• 4 groups of 5 - 20
• 3 groups of 6 - 18
• 15-20 mins

Combinations in the final 3rd Passing Pattern

• 3 Teams
• 60 seconds per pattern repeated twice, second time going opposite way
• 3 rounds (3 patterns)
• Last pattern competition, most clean reps
• Follow your pass

• Up, back, through, 

• Up, back, across

• Timing of movements

• Pass details

• Arriving on the pass

• Communication

Phase of play

ion

Set up

• 10v11 Phase of Play, focusing on midfield movement and passing to create goal scoring opportunities in the opponents half.
• Team in possession (red) - 1-4-3-3 single pivot
• Team out of possession (blue) - 1-4-3-3 double pivot

Blue Team:

• Defend in low block. Man to man in midfield. Remain compact and maintain shape inside own half. Pressure on opposition midfielders when they have possession, provide cover and balance where appropriate. Opportunity to win possession in wide areas - FB's close down wingers fast and team looks to lock opposition to one side of pitch. Team maintains height in defensive line to force play to be higher on pitch.

Red Team:

• DM drop to create angle to play both sides of pitch as CB steps. CM's start on shoulder of opposition midfielders, look to receive to play forward where possible. Wingers start high - ensure not to be on same line as FB's. Drop when available to receive to drag FB out of position, but also be able to face goal on first touch.

Sets

• 1st Set- 5 mins, Wingers are locked the wide zone, unless the ball is on the opposite side then enter the box, only 1 blue player allowed in to enter the wide zone, CM and Wide player create 2v1, blues have 5 seconds score on regain ball always starts from half way
• 2nd Set- 5 mins, Wingers are still locked is locked until the ball is played there side and now more than 1 blue are allowed in the wide zone, more free play on ball starts starting from half way and randomly from me, 
• 3rd set- 5 mins free play different restarts from throws and goal kicks, add competition, 2 goals for a combinat
  

Coaching Points:

• Looking to move the opposition with quick ball speed to open up spaces in the oppositions shape. Looking to create quick combinations, like up, back and through. Trying to isolate the FBs 1v1.
• When ball travels to wide player, nearest CM should look to complete underlapping run - enough distance away from defenders so CB doesn't follow and allow for 1 touch cross/cutback. Pass to underlapping CM should be angled so they don't have to slow run and can face box for quick cross, central runners needed into penalty area. If pass is covered, chance for winger to dribble inside and combine with striker/other CM. DM should support from underneath at all moments.
• Movements in box for the cross striker, other 10 and Winger attacking penalty spot front and back post, No 4 locking edge of box

• CB stepping in create overload, As CB/DM steps forward with ball, ball-side CM stretches to half-space to receive and play through ball to striker, who makes run on blindside of CB. If pass to near CM is covered, other CM should complete opposite movement to be in space to receive and complete same objective or shoot from distance.
  
• FB and Winger rotating- FB going inside and Winger coming low to receive in space or FB creates the overload inside
• Midfield Rotations- When CM provides side support if mark, can they then make the run in behind to receive, which also then allows another CM to provide side support in the space  
• If they start to cheat and are wide then can break lines

• If less numbers remove striker replace with mannequin 

• Remove FBs and cut off the pitch
• 20- remove striker 10v10
• 19- remove striker and 1 centre back or 2 wingers blue 10v9
• 18- remove 2 wingers and 1 CB 9v9