Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Match Prep Session (A License)

Screen 1

11v11 Match Prep, pressing from the front.

3x8 minute blocks with 2 mins rest.

Blue to play out to try build attack to score

Red team to press high and win the ball to score on fast transition (10 seconds)

Start: Opposition Goal Kick

Progression: Open Play High Press

Red Team (1-4-3-3 into a 4-4-2 diamond on GK)

Blue Team (1-4-3-3 playing out from GK)

High press includes CF dropping to pick up/screen opposition CDM with the Ws narrowing to press the CBs on the first pass from the goal kick, forcing inside where the rest of the team will be ready to jump their player on a man to man press.

If the ball goes back to the keeper the Ws continue pressure to win the ball. 

If the ball goes inside the CF and the CM will be player for player to jump and congest the middle to also win the ball high.

If the first press from the Ws doesn't force out and it gets played to a opposition FB then the wide CM player will press from in to out, to win the ball or force outside and lock it out. Once this happens the opposite CM comes across, so the midfield 3 will be made up from two CMs and the CF all forcing out to win the ball high.

The back line will be 4 defenders dealing with 2 attackers.

Block 1:

Predominantly working with the front 3 in this black because they are the first line of defense and start the press. 

• Quick to be in shape from the restart to prevent the quick restart.
• CF screening the single CDM to prevent the first pass through.
• Ws edge of the box or slightly deeper to entice team to play out.
• As soon as the ball is played Ws curve their run to force inside putting CB under quick pressure to play quick.
• If the ball is played back to GK, W who started the press is to continue the pressure.
• CF stay in shape and don't be tempted to jump out. 
• Show CMs where and who to press but wait to block 2 for added detail.

Problem:

Ws start to high and makes keeper kick long into a 50/50 in a spread shape or kick long into FBs.

Solve:

Adjust Ws position to entice GK to play out.

CMs edge the FBs to shorten the distances to arrive on first touch as the ball is traveling.

Aggressive in arial duals.

Screen 3

Black 3:

Blue Team play out, break the press and switch round the back.

E.g. Blue GK to LCB to LB and gets it back to the LCB via CDM to start the switch to RCB and RB.

Problem:

CF caught out of shape allowing free pass into the middle.

Solve:

•  Red team remain in high press but deeper to regain shape to be ready to press again high. (4-3-3)
• Red team to prioritise not being broken centrally.
• High press trigger on the switch.
• LW prevents passes forward by screening blue W.
• CM man for man with good marking distances.
• Red CF to begin press on the backwards pass.
• Red RW (on the opposite side) jumps out to again press the blue LCB.
• Red RW can not go early and allow free pass to LB.

Problem 2:
If the Blue LCB does beat the Red RW and finds the LB out RB can jump to opposite LB.

CB need to shuffle (RUN) to accept reasonability for Blue LW and CF (man for man at the back).