Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Counter-pressing 1

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Tony Hodson

Profile Summary

Name:
Tony Hodson
City:
London
Country:
United Kingdom
Membership:
Adult Member
Sport:
Football/Soccer
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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 6v6 rondo

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 6v6 rondo
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6v6 rondo15 mins

Topic

  • Counter-pressing

Principle

  • Reaction to losing possession

Time

  • 4 x 4-minute blocks

Players

  • 12

Space/equipment

  • 36m x 24m/Balls, bibs, flat markers and 4 mini-goals

Description

  • This is a 6v6 rondo that takes place on a pitch measuring 36m x 24m. A halfway line is marked, and there is a mini-goal at each corner, as shown.
  • An in-possession team attempts to keep possession for as long as possible.
  • The defending team attempts to win the ball. If they do so, they should look to score in one of the two target mini-goals in the half of the pitch in which they won possession – this earns them one point, and they then restart as the possession team.
  • If the team that lost possession can counter-press quickly and win the ball back before the opposition scores, they are awarded one point.

Progressions

  • Progress to allow the defending team to make five passes after winning the ball to become the in-possession team. This will increase the need for players to get pressure on the ball when counter-pressing.
  • Allow the team that wins possession to score in any target mini-goal. This will increase the challenge on the counter-pressing side; they will have to counter-press in a manner that prevents the opposition using the whole area.

Coaching points

  • Fast, positive reactions: Once a player loses possession, they should be encouraged to react quickly and in a positive manner, and not display negative body language such as dropping their shoulders.
  • Regaining skills: Players should be encouraged to play on the front foot when counter-pressing. Being ready to intercept and win 1v1 duels is very important. Players should read the body language of the player on the ball and the receiving player, to try and anticipate and then intercept the ball.
  • Composure in 1v1s: When defending 1v1, it’s important that defenders are composed. They must be aggressive with their press to get tight to the ball, but they must also slow themselves down and get low to be hard to beat in the 1v1. This level of composure places more pressure on the opposition; it won’t be easy for them to escape a press.
Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 7v7 counter-pressing game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 7v7 counter-pressing game
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7v7 counter-pressing game15 mins

Topic

  • Counter-pressing

Principle

  • Reaction to losing possession

Time

  • 4 x 4-minute blocks

Players

  • 14, including 2 goalkeepers

Space/equipment

  • 60m x 30m/Balls, bibs, flat markers and 2 goals

Description

  • This is a 7v7 (including goalkeepers) counter-pressing game that takes place on a pitch of 30m x 60m, with a halfway line. The ball starts with one team attacking in the opposition half.
  • If the in-possession team scores, they restart play with the ball in the opposition half once more.
  • If the defending team wins the ball, they are attempting to score as quickly as possible on the counter-attack.
  • The team that lost possession should attempt to counter-press, to stop the opposition counter-attacking and win possession in the half they lost possession.
  • If the defending team can escape from their own half and get a shot off, they restart with the ball as the attacking team.

Progressions

  • Progress so the team that loses possession is awarded a point for successful counter-pressing and winning the ball back in the half they lost it.
  • Also progress so the team that wins possession is awarded two points if they can score within three passes of winning the ball.

Coaching points

  • Immediate pressure on the ball: When the in-possession team loses possession, there needs to be an immediate reaction to put pressure on the ball. While the opposition are in their defensive shape, they will have less space between players. This will make it hard for the player on the ball to maintain possession if pressure is immediately placed on them.
  • Suffocate the ball: The players immediately around the ball should be encouraged to suffocate space around the ball. This will require them to be intense and ball-oriented in their actions. Doing this should limit the options for the player on the ball, as passing lanes will be cut off due to the pressure. It will also be hard to dribble out of pressure.
  • Protecting space behind: While the players around the ball are ball-oriented, those away from the ball need to protect the space behind. They should adopt a side-on body shape that allows them to step in and defend, but also turn and sprint to protect the space in behind.
  • Stopping the game: If the counter-attacking team breaks a counter-press and has an attacking overload, the recovering defenders must be willing to stop the game. This can be done through tactical fouls that will force the game to be stopped and allow them to get back into shape.
Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 11v11 conditioned game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 11v11 conditioned game
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11v11 conditioned game20 mins

Topic

  • Counter-pressing

Principle

  • Reaction to losing possession

Time

  • 2 x 8-minute blocks

Players

  • 22, including 2 goalkeepers

Space/equipment

  • Full-sized pitch/Balls, bibs, flat markers and 2 goals

Description

  • This is an 11v11 game played on a full-sized pitch. The pitch is split into equal thirds, with a halfway line acting as the offside line.
  • One team, here attacking left to right, is set up in a 3-5-2 formation. The other team should play in a 4-3-3 formation.
  • Teams are awarded two points if they are able to win the ball in the third of the pitch in which they lost it and go on to score.
  • After a team scores any other kind of goal, they then have to win the ball from the opposition before they make six passes in order for that goal to count. The ball will be served into the defensive third of the team that conceded.
  • Standard football rules otherwise apply.

Progressions

  • Progress so that, after a goal is scored, play the ball to the team that scored. If the team that conceded can win the ball back within six passes, they prevent the goal.
  • Alter the formations of the teams to present both teams with different challenges.

Coaching points

  • Staying connected: In possession, players should be encouraged to stay connected. The team should have width and depth, but also have players near the ball-carrier who are no further than 10 yards away. This in-possession structure will help if and when the ball is turned over.
  • Anticipation: Players near to and away from the ball should be anticipating a turnover in possession. Through watching the player on the ball, they should be able to identify when the ball may be turned over. When this is happening, they should start looking to move closer to where the ball is, ready to counter-press.
  • Suffocate the ball: Players immediately around the ball should be encouraged to suffocate space around it upon a loss of possession. Doing this will limit options for the player on the ball, as passing lanes will be cut off due to the pressure. It will also be hard to dribble out of pressure, with two or three players trying to limit space around the ball.
  • Fast recovery runs: At some point, the counter-attacking team will break the counter-press. Here, it is vital that players sprint back as quickly as possible, taking the quickest route to goal. This will help to contain counter-attacks, delay the opposition’s progression, and allow the recovering team to gain their defensive shape.
  • Fast counter-attacks: Upon winning possession, both teams should be encouraged to counter-attack quickly. Being direct when playing forward will make it harder for the counter-pressing team to get pressure on the ball, which will challenge the main coaching points further.

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