Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): D License: Improve your team’s ability to recover the ball in the attacking half

Warm up (15 mins)

Organization:

• Players divided into 3 function teams by the block they are playing in the game

• 4 v 4 v 4 high pressure transition

Instructions:

- Initial play starts with a pass in from the GK.

- Functional lines pressure the ball as a group.

- Defense should win possession and look to immediately finish on goal if possible.

- The team who looses possession transitions to defend.

- Team in possession looks play the ball across to the other team. They may pass the ball acorss at any point. The amount of passes they connect equals the amount of points they receive if they are able to safely transfer the ball across the middle into next 3rd .

Coaching Points:

1. Technical Application of Defensive pressure - individual body position to force inside.

2. Angle, Speed, and Distance of pressure on the ball

3. When? As the ball travels to the opposition

Visual ques to press include: Quality of pass to teammate, type of pass to teammate, negative or square ball, position of receiving player, direction of first touch of receiving player.

4. Why? To limit the options for the player with the ball or receiving the ball, which will lead to turnovers in advantageous areas. (giving visual cues to help teammates make good defensive decisions)

Main Theme 2 (25 mins)

Organization:

• 8 v 6

• Target Team (Yellow): 0-2-3-1

• Opposition Team (Black): 1-4-2-1

Instructions:

-Game starts with distribution from the GK hands, if recived through the run of play or a goal kick if required

-Yellow team must fall back to bait pass into full backs

- Yellow team plays to large goal

- Blue team scores by passing the ball to target players .

Coaching Points:

1. What? Angle, Speed, and Distance of support from midfield (3) - #10,#8,#6

2. Where? In support of 1st defender in midfield 1/3

3. When? As the ball travels and the 1st defender applies pressure

Visual ques to press include: Quality of pass to teammate, type of pass to teammate, negative or square ball, position of receiving player, direction of first touch of receiving player.

4. Once we decide to press everyone is connected and must shift as a group

Possible breakdowns

-11 or 7 over commits on opposing full back and the 10 6 and 8 have not shifted, must address the movement of the midfield 3 in suuport of the pressing player

-2 or 3 of the opposition is able to beat first line of pressure and hit a longer pass-ballanceing player must be aware of space and antiicpate the longer pass--visual cue of a longer touch out of feet and the body shape to play a longer pass

Game (25 mins)

Organization:

- 11v11

- Target Team-Yellow-1-4-2-3-1

- Opposition Team-Blue - 4-2-3-1

- Normal FIFA Rules apply

Coaching Points:

1) Angle, Speed, and Distance of support from midfield (3) - #10,#8,#6

2. Support and movement (Balance) of the 2, 3 and one center back

3. Drop off to bait pass into fullbacks

4. Movment to press must occur quickly as the ball travels and the 1st defender applying pressure must not overcommit

5. Position and role of GK in organizing the back four and shifting as needed

Natural Triggers

Goal kick for opposition

Throw-in Deep in opposing half