Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Effective Possession in the Middle Third - Progressing the Ball Through the Thirds

PP

Organisation:

In groups of 5-6 in a 15m x 20m area with 3m x 3m boxes in each corner. Players start within the boxes with initial starting player starting in between one set of boxes. Players pass to the player in the next box and follow their pass for a set time. 

Variation/Progression:

- Change direction

- Maximum 2 touch 

- Players starting position on furthest marker and move into the area to receive

- Players start on marker outside the boxes and receive inside the box 

- Players to run through gate outside the grid before getting to starting position 

- Add passive pressing player 

- Direction of pass determined by pressing player (10 players required)

Player Tasks

- 1. SCAN, 2. PASS, 3. MOVE, 4. SCAN

- Pass to the advantage of team mate (to space in front of player)

- Pass the ball firmly with good pace

- Pass the ball quickly

- Receive the ball with an open body shape

- Pass and receive using both feet frequently

- Receive the ball in passing lanes & pockets of space

- Make well timed runs

- Take first touch forward

GT (30 mins)

7v7 on a half pitch - edge of D to edge of D or in a half with a 15m end zone at each end of the pitch. Play starts with coach, then full game rules apply for outs. The team in possession attempts to pass the ball through midfield to score a goal. The end zones represent an offside line. For the possession team to score a pass must be played from the playing space into the shooting space where attacking team must use first time finish as no defenders or any other attackers are allowed in that area when in BPO. In BP teams can receive the ball in the end zone with their keeper in it.

Variation/Progression:

- 3 second time limit per player to control and release the ball

- Support player allowed into shooting zone for attacking team to create 1v1 (1 touch rule applies to both attackers) 

- Defenders allowed to recover and defend in shooting zones

- Change players involved (7/11 replaced by a 2/5 to play inverted and 8/10 to make runs inside to out to provide width)

Team Tasks:

Pass the ball at a high tempo in a controlled manner through midfield to score a goal.

Player Tasks

Goalkeeper (1):

- Play the ball quickly when recycling the ball from midfield 

Centre backs (3/4):

- Play either side of the GK in a staggered line with each other (never flat in BP)

- Pass into midfield as quickly as possible 

- Both 3/4 to be a backwards pass option for midfield - especially when team mates first touch backwards due to pressure

Fullbacks (2/5):

- Play high and wide (wide corridor) when winger plays narrow, play narrow (wide central corridor) when winger is wide 

- Make frequent underlapping and overlapping forward runs to create space for team mates (some decoys)

- Always be positioned in a pocket of space/channel to support the CB/CM/WG on your side of the field (creating a diamond)

Defensive Mid (6):

- Be positioned centrally so you can be the link between our build up players and penetration players at all times

- Always move to be in pockets of space between the opposition front and midfield lines

- Form diamonds with team mates by getting into passing lanes to aid in keeping possession (e.g. 3/4/6/8, 2/3/6/8)

- Switch the play with a mix of short, medium and long range passing

Centre Mids (8/10):

- Always be in a passing lane with each other 

- Operate in between the opposition midfield and back lines

- Drift wider to support the wide players and be the link to bring the ball back to the centre of the pitch (e.g. form triangle with 2/7 when 7 has the ball) with the other one corridor further away

Wingers (7/11):  

- Play high and wide (wide corridor) when fullback plays narrow, play narrow (wide central corridor) when fullback is wide

- Make frequent runs towards the ball and in behind to create space for team mates (some decoys)

- Always be positioned in a pocket of space/channel to support the FB/CM/ST on your side of the field (creating a diamond)

- Drop and stay in midfield frequently to overload (false 9)

- Make frequent runs towards the ball and in behind to create space for team mates (some decoy)

- Positioned in passing lanes to assist 7/11/6/8/10

- When opposition is pressing hard, recycle the ball and start again 

- When a channel is open to play forward, pass the ball quickly with pace

- When you are getting caught on the ball, ensure that you scan before you receive the ball and pass quickly - PASS. SCAN, MOVE, SCAN

- If opposition is staying compact, pass the ball from side to side patiently until channel opens up