Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): The high press and transition into mid press (Start Time: 2025-02-23 08:30:00)

• Arrive on the first touch (to prevent forward actions) if not, deny/ show one way and slow the opponent's progression
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• As the ball is played, can I arrive on the first touch, if not, can I get close and drop off
• Wait for the advantage

• Weight on the back foot
• Attack with the foot on the ball side
• Prevent crossing over of legs
• Get between the opponent and the ball

• Use 1 full-size pitch.

• Position a full-size goal on the edge of 1 penalty area and the other on the goal line.

• Put a goalkeeper in each goal.

• Split the outfield players into teams of 10.

• The blue team must defend in a 4-3-3 formation.

• The pink team must build the play in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

• In the blue team’s half, mark out a defensive line 25m from the halfway line.

• In the pink team’s half, mark out a defensive line 15m from the halfway line.

• Split the pitch in 2 lengthwise.

Now the blue team is defending in the 3-5-2 (or 4-2--3-1 when we enage in the mid third), and the pink team is building the play in the 4-3-3

• The ball always starts with the pink team on one side of the pitch in their half.

• The teams must play an 8v7 on the chosen side of the pitch, with the pink team having a numerical advantage.

• Once the pink team complete 6 consecutive passes, an extra pink player can enter the chosen side of the pitch and the team can progress beyond the blue team’s defensive line.

• If the pink team attack on the same side of the pitch and score, 2 points are won.

• If the pink team switch play first before scoring, only 1 point is scored.

• If the blue team win the ball, they must attack and try to score.

• If they attack and score from the same side where they win the ball, 2 points are won.

• If they switch the ball to the other side first and score, 1 point is gained.

• The defending team cannot defend behind their defensive line when the ball is inside the mid-block area.

• After a set period, the blue team start with the ball and build the play.

Now, the pink team is the one attacking and building the play, and the blue team defends and tries to win the ball.

• Attacking
  • Control ball to control ball
  • Shine bright like a diamond
  • Be in a position where the defender can't see you and the ball.
• Defending
  • Can you quickly you apply pressure to win the ball backIf you win the ball. If not, can you stay compact and disciplined.
  • If you win the ball back, can you play the central player to create a third man run.
  • Constant scanning so you know the full field
• GK
  • Be ready for balls in behind and one on ones 
  • Look to be the final pivot 
    • (receive outside of goal line)
    • proactive positioning
    • first touch central

• When the attacking team lose advantage of the ball - can you apply pressure, if not, can you hold off and force one way as the team
• Can you arrive on the first touch, if not, can you close down quickly and drop off
• As the nine presses the ball, 
• When we are trying to win back in the final third, can we win centrally, if not can we force wide and win wide

• Get low
• Weight on the back foot
• Attack with the foot on the ball side
• Prevent crossing over of legs
• Get between the opponent and the ball by pushing off the front foot