Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Match Prep - Out of Possession - 3box3 vs 442

Animation 2

Block One (10mins)

Problem 1 - The white centre backs split to beat the press and try to isolate the ball side Blue number 10. 

Solution - Aggressive press in the final third with the following detail:

• Striker - show one way and angle the approach to deny the switch of play 
• Ball Side #10 - play on the outside shoulder of the white #6 and set a trap to press aggressively as the ball travels to the white full-back. When the ball is played to the full-back, press aggressively to force a backwards pass to the centre back.
• Far Side #8 - move across onto the white# 6 when the ball side #10 jumps. 
• Ball Side Wing Back - play on the outside shoulder of the white #8 (wide of the diamond) and deny forward passes. Only press if the white full-back beats the press from #10.
• Far Side Wing Back - tuck in on the opposite side white #8 (outside shoulder).
• Blue #6s - be aware of the white #10 and be prepared to jump if the ball side wing back has to press. If they press, far side #6 then marks the white #10.
• Back 3 - defend 3v2 against the white strikers 
• GK - consider starting position if they play over 

What if? - Whites manage to switch play using their opposite centre back?

Solution - Coach a transition into a mid-block to protect the middle third. 

Animation 4

Block Two (10mins)

Problem 2 - Whites play through the mid-block by their #8s playing as wide as possible to stretch the Blue midfield. This will create a channel for the strikers to drop into (on the outside shoulders of the Blue #6s). 

Solution: 

• Ball Side Wing Back - mark the white #8s on the inside shoulders to reduce the space for the centre back to play into. Detail on having the player in front of them. Be prepared to go with the runner if they go in behind.
• Ball Side Centre Back - drop in with the white striker to apply pressure if the pass is successful 
• Remaining Centre backs - cover around to defend 2v1 against the remaining striker 
• Ball Side #6 - try and anticipate the pass into the channel and be prepared for second balls if the striker has a bad touch
• Far Side #6 - move onto the white #10 if the Blue #6 has to go
• Far Side Wing Back - start to drop to give extra protection if they make it into the defensive third
• Blue #10s - recover onto white #8s as the ball travels up the pitch
• Blue Striker - remain on the white #6
• GK - anticipate the ball over the top

Animation 6

What if? - Solution as animated