Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): The Final Third Out of Possession

The Final Third Specific Practice

Organisation:

Blues -  players defending the full size goal (players in a 1-4-2 formation)). 

Reds -  players attacking the full size goal (players in a 2-2-3 formation)  All players free to go anywhere other than CB's who remain back.

Instructions

Working with the blues out of possession on how they stop reds creating goal scoring opportunites in the final third.

Reds will be in possession of the football as they look to create chances on goal by playing through, around or over the blues in the final third. While the reds are in possession, the blues will have to defend the goal, by reducing the reds playing through them in the central areas and therefore forcing play wide and away from goal. If blues regain possession they will look to play their way forward into the number 10 for two goals or one of the mini goals for one goal with the realism of counter attack (time limit if required).

Coaching Point

Width & Depth of both teams (starting positions depending on location of ball). Give blued back 4 reference to be in line with and all centrally when drill begins (compact). Include GK also.

Interventions

Concurrent

Terminal

Walkthrough

Coaching Process

All players shuffle across as a unit into their reference points to compact the pitch and leave furthest player away (least danger).

Objectives:

• As an individual, players need to create space to receive the ball and attempt to move the opposition. As a team, Attackers need to use length, width and depth to create space for teammates.

• Attackers need to use good passing and support the play where they need to receive the ball. Either outside or inside.

• As individuals, players need to move to unbalance the opposition to create supporting options or create space for their teammates to unbalance the opposition. Attackers also need to time their movements accordingly, with double movements if needed, and move as the ball is moving or just as the ball is being crossed.

• Players need to use creative passing to find disguise passing or take on Defenders in 1v1 situations as they would in a game.

• To penetrate the lines, attackers need to pass between defenders to make it difficult to defend and create goal-scoring opportunities. Deep players and Center Midfielders, should look to make forward runs to penetrate the defensive lines.

• Defend in the final third:

  •  Positioning:Ensure defenders are placed to intercept passes and block shots,minimizing gaps between players. 

  • Teamwork:Communicate effectively to maintain a solid defensive line.

  • Pressing:Implement pressing tactics to win the ball back quickly

  • Teamwork:Communicate effectively to maintain a soliddefensive line.

The Final Third Specific Practice 2

Ball is played into the wide attacker, who plays into the #10 and then sprints into the center to support the fourth pass underneath the center forward. The #10 plays it out the wide player on  the other side.  The wide player plays into center forward who plays one touch to wide player coming in from other side. The ball is then played to the wide player who continues run down the side. A cross is then played into the box. After every pass, the attackers are sprinting into a new position and ideally it results in a wide cross with two players in the box and one attacker on the edge of the box.

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Attackers:  create scoring opportunity within 5 seconds. If not pass out to reset.

Defenders: can you win the ball and score in 10 seconds

Screen 5

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions):

Challenges, Conditions or Targets: