Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): General Possession / Out of Possession / Defensive Transitions

Open Play

General Possession / Out of Possession / Defensive Transitions

Welsh Way Principles:

Understanding how and when to pressure the opposition so that they are unable to play forward and exploit space between and beyond defensive lines.

Organisation / Area Size:

Playing area consists of a 35x35 outer square with a 15x15 inner square

Session is played with 2 teams of equal numbers (min 5v5 - max 7v7)

Work in 3 minute blocks

How:

The teams will be coached on how to organise and defend during a defensive transition

Session split into 3 parts - DELAY/DENY/DICTATE

Explanation:

When the session begins and is in open play, players have free movement. Upon losing possession, players are coached on how to react to the defensive transition. Immediately after losing possession, the teams must apply pressure whilst regaining a compact defensive shape to prevent split passes/progress/goals. To create realistic opposition, after winning possession, teams must make the pitch big through creating width and depth. When in possession, the aim is to score by passing or dribbling through the goal (poles) in the middle of the inner square.

The practice is split into 3 blocks

Block 1: DELAY - Immediately after their team has lost possession, the nearest player to the ball must apply pressure to slow down the opposition's progress. Fast pressure on the ball to prevent quick counter attacks.

Block 2: DENY - Whilst and after slowing down the opposition's attack, they must then deny time and space to the attackers by making recovery runs & cutting off passing lanes. Prevent split passes into key central areas

Block 3: DICTATE - After slowing the attack and cutting off options, the teams must now influence the attack by directing the attackers away from goal. Force play wide and backwards with their body shape to make play predictable.

Challenges, Conditions & Targets:

Challenge: Lose possession - compact shape inside the inner with nearest player pressing. Win possession - make the pitch big

Condition: Inner square is the "danger zone". Protect the middle

Targets: Goals are only scored when in possession by passing/dribbling through the poles

Key Points:

Delay the attack

Deny time and space

Dictate where the attack goes and make play predictable

Interventions:

Terminal (during rest breaks)

Walkthrough

Concurrent