Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): FINAL THIRD

FINAL THIRD

Final Third - Specific Practice

In Possession

The session will be focusing on the attacking team (reds) to play in the final third where they would look exploit the wide areas in 1v1's, underlapping runs or overlapping runs from either the CM or CAM (number 8)

• The team in possession will usually play in a 3-4-1-2
  
• As the focus is in the final third I have removed the 3x CB's & GK on the IP team

Out of Possession

Team out of possession will try to defend and stop the opposing team scoring or shooting opportunities. If they win the ball they can score in either of the 3x mini goals which are to replicate the forward players in their shape which is a 4-3-3

• The team out of possession will be playing in a 4-3-3 but I have removed the 2x full backs, 2x wingers & 1x striker.

Pitch Layout:

• The session will take part on 1/3 of the pitch - this is to create realism of starting positions of players when attacking in the final third
  
• The pitch will be split into 3 zones as reference points for the wide players not to come inside the pitch as they will be looking to create width when in possession
• There will be 3x mini goals for the team out of possession in the central areas which will act as their strikers as they will look to counter quickly when they regain possession of the ball
• Balls will start from the number 5 or 6 red who will look to make a forward pass either out wide or into the CAM 

Block 1

• First block will be focusing on creating crossing opportunities 
• Both wide players will stay as wide as possible when either the 5 or 6 have possession
• When they have the ball I will ask the 2x strikers to provide opposite movements off the ball - for instance if the 11 receives the ball the number 10 attacks front post and the 9 spins out to back post
• With deliveries into the box from the wide player I would ask this player to recognise players movements as there could be deliveries into the box or cut backs to supporting players (number 8)
• Opposite winger will look to also attack the back post 
• The 2x CB will be the only players allowed to press the wide players - if one CB goes to press then the CM should recover their space

Block 2

• In the second block I will now ask either the CAM or CM to create underlapping runs into the box
• For this to happy I would ask the opposing CM to press the wide player to create space inside the pitch 
• Then I would ask both the ST to move away from the winger to create that space inside
• If the underlapping player receives the ball they will look to either shoot or cut backs from the movement of the strikers 

• Challenge for reds would be they score either off a cross into the box or an underlapping run

FINAL THIRD SSG

 Final Third SSG

Pitch Dimensions: Half pitch  

Player Numbers: 17 players inc GK (9v8)

Equipment: 2x goals, footballs spaced out around the outside of the pitch

In Possession Final Third

• The red team will be in attacking in a 3-4-1-2 formation and I have removed the 3x CB's
  
• The red team will look to exploit the wide areas to try and create box entries either with crosses or underlapping/overlapping runs

• One problem for the red team will be if the defending team remain compact and minimise space in behind
• To look to solve this problem I will speak to the 2x CM to either drop deeper to receive the ball to entice pressure on the ball then to create space/combine with wide players to get in behind
• Another problem will be if the GK is unable to find a pass
• A solution for this will be if the CM drop deeper/wider alongside the GK to disrupt the compactness of the defensive structure 
• If they do press the CM's this will create passing lines into the striker or the CAM

Technical Detail for Attackers

• Consider ball speed when switching the ball into wide areas or combining centrally
• Minimise touches in the central zones to speed play up with combinations
• CAM to play on the shoulders of the 2x opposing CM
• Selection of deliveries into the box, high, low or cut backs 
• Body shape when receive the ball in wide areas - either positive first touch forward or touch inside to combine 

Tactical Detail for Defenders

• Create width from the wingers - opening up space for the underlapping run
• Strikers to play high, opposite movements to the ball/striking partner
• Get across the defender at the front post 
• CM to lock in one side of the field/rotate the ball if compact defensively 
• If wingers touch inside can the ST or CAM make the run into the half space

Challenges

• When defending team win possession can they score directly off the counter
• Can the red team score either from crosses or underlapping runs

• Half a pitch is the playing area. 
  

• Both teams must score in the goal that their attacking

• Game will restart either with GK or throw ins. Balls are dotted around the pitch for quick restarts to hopefully create more overloads
  

Blocks

• The session will be split into 3x blocks
• Block 1 - focus on the ST stopping the switch through the GK or to the opposite CB
  
• Block 2 - CB to recognise when to follow opposing ST into the middle zone & the WM to drop deeper to stop the switch of play
• Block 3 - Free play

• I would use terminal interventions to get the players understand how we be stationed in our units when out of possession

• I would also use walk through for coaching points alongside concurrent feedback whilst the ball is in play