Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Breaking Lines 2 Complete

Block 1 - Breaking Lines Of A Low Block

Organization :

A 7v8 game where the focus team in blue is attacking the big goal and the managed team in red is attacking the mini goals and must score within 6 seconds of regaining possession. The ball can either start with the blue team or the coach anywhere on the pitch  to increase realism. 

Objective: 

The blue team is looking break lines in order to advance the ball forward 

Focus Team: Blue 1-4-3-3 shape reduced to 1-3-3 (No fullbacks and 1 CB is out)

Managing Team: RED 1-4-3-3 shape reduced to 1-4-3 (No ST's)

Timing: 5 minutes with 1min transition

Pitch Size: Half pitch and two cut corners. Adjustable depending on age and ability

Coached Team: The CB will find the one of the CMs who looks to invite pressure by dribbling forward. Our two other CMs take up the half spaces between the opposition's CBs and CDMs so they can receive split passes  from the CB/CDM to turn forward find the 7/11 in wide areas

Managed Team: The red team back line steps up and push one CB in the middle to create numerical superiority in the middle and then block the passing options to the 7 and 11 to force play centrally. 

Challenges/Targets:

Can we break the lines using central areas only?

Can we break lines using wide areas or over the top only?

Can the blue team break the lines 3 times before scoring a goal?

Condition:

Managed team must push one of their CBs in the midfield before play starts

What if's?

-We cannot attack the central areas? we can use utilize our wingers to push the opposition to commit numbers in wide areas and then go through the center 

- The ST cannot receive the ball from our 6 because the CB is following him centrally? Our 6 should skip the ST and find our CM's/11/7 in behind.

-We cannot break lines on side of the pitch ? Find diagonal balls to weak side winger or recycle play through our CB/CMs 

Technical/Tactical details:. 

Body shape when receive the ball in a half turn

Scan and check into half spaces

Runs/Timing of runs

Patience in possession, move ball side to side to unbalance opposition

Combination play in wide area's

Diagonal switches

Runs in behind

Long balls over the top

Combination play- Third man runs

Regression:

Red CB cannot step to the ST until ball is played into him.

Red CM cannot step to blue CM until ball is played into him.

Progression:

Limit touches for the focus team.

Cannot use wide guys to play to play through the center

SSG: Decision Making to Break Lines Depending on Opposition's Defensive Set Up (20 mins)

Organization :

A 8v8 game where both the focus and managed team are looking to defend one big goal. The managed team in red must score within 8 seconds of regaining possession to get a point and focus team is looking score in the big goal. The ball can either start with the blue team, red team or the coach anywhere on the pitch to increase realism.

Focus Team: Blue 1-4-3-3 shape reduced to 1-1-3-3 (No fullbacks and 1CB)

Managing Team: Red 1-4-3-3 shape reduced to 1-4-3 (No ST's)

Timing: 10 minutes with 2 min transition

Objective: Break the opposition's lines whether they decide to sit back or high press

Problem/Solution 1:

Coached Team: The CB will find the one of the CMs who looks to invite pressure by dribbling forward. Our two other CMs take up the half spaces between the opposition's CBs and CDMs so they can receive split passes from the CB/CDM to turn forward find the 7/11 in wide areas

Managed Team: The red team back line steps up and push one CB in the middle to create numerical superiority in the middle and then block the passing options to the 7 and 11 to force play centrally.

Problem/Solution 2:

Utilizing the two full backs to press high up the pitch and dropping one CDM as a CB and release the ball side CB to defend the opposition's #11. The managed team's back line will step up the line to the marked cone on the touchline.  The 10 will curve his/her run and press the focus team's LCB forcing the ball towards the RB. The rest of the reds will also step forward with the CAM's press to close the gaps.

Coached Team: We will look to play around, through, or over the red team. We will need the 7/11 and to provide depth and width and our 10 to support the ball soon the press is activated so the CB can use him as a wall to find our 11 out wide. The CB will dribbling forward if possible to beat the press from the the red's #10 and then our 6 will provide support

What If's :

-The CB cannot dribble forward, then our 7 will drop to support the ball carrier and cut inside to combine with the near CM/ST or switch the point of attack to the 11.  

- The ST cannot receive the ball from our 6 because the CB is following him centrally then our 6 should skip the ST and find our CM's/11/7 in behind.

- There is short pass options then look for forwards over the top

Targets:

-The blue team get three points successfully work through any problems thrown at them

-Red team attempt to regain the possession and score in mini goals within 8 seconds.

Regression:

-Opposition's FBs can't press until CB receive the ball

-Opposition shadow defend

-Add a neutral player

Progression:

-Limit touches for the in possession team

-Have red team man mark the blue team before play starts

Condition:

Red team must press the opposition when the first pass is played to Blue CB.

Red team sits back low block

Challenges:

Ca we stay patient and invite pressure?

Can we break the lines using central areas only?

Can we break lines using wide areas or over the top only?

Can we get the CM to start higher creating space to check back into so he can then connect the CB pass with the Winger?

Technical/Tactical details:

Body shape when receive the ball

Runs/Timing of runs

Patience in possession, move ball sideways to unbalance opposition

Combination play in wide area's

Diagonal switches

Runs in behind

pass and move to open space