Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): 06 Boys Summer #4

Pressuring the ball 3 vs 3 with 2 (20 mins)

Pressuring the ball 3 vs 3 with 2

Practice organisation

-Area 30x15yds, divided into 2 grids of equal size, as illustrated.

-8 Players (incl. 2 Target players), 1 ball.

-Players arranged 2v1 in each grid, with T’s at each end of practice area.

-Practice starts with: T feeds ball into team mates, who are not allowed to rebound ball back.

-Defender presses ball & is supported by a team mate from opposite geid, to increase defensive numbers

-Team in possession look to retain ball, transfer possession forwards to support player, looking to receive, turn & supply T player at opposite end.

Detail

-Rotate players frequently to retain defensive intensity.

-Speed & angle of approach.

-Mental concentration & alertness.

-When pressing: body shape; head still; see ball; good balance & footwork

-See man & ball

-Block stance in front of ball & blocking with correct foot.

-Composure & no fouling

-Defensive support from players behind: where, when & how to press & mark.

-Simple progressions for this practice are:

-- Introduce additional box in middle with 4 extra players, organised 2v2.

-- T’s can pass anywhere into practice area

Key Coaching Points

-Where, when & how to initially press ball.

-Quick support from supporting D’s to pressurise.

-Communication & adjustment to positions in relation to ball

-Looking interceptions

-Forcing errors from the man on ball.

9 vs 5 & 5 vs 2 (20 mins)

9 vs 5 & 5 vs 2

Grid of 30 X 30 with a 12 X 12 in the middle of it. % red play vs 2 blue in the 12 by 12, when the blue win the ball, they now play with their remaining 7 in the 30 X 30 grid vs the 5 red who are now on defense. When the red win, they need to bring the ball back into the 12 X 12 to play 5 vs 2 vs whichever 2 blue players go in there to defend them.

Coaching Point

Speed of play (limit touches for the blue to 2 touch, talk about shoulder checks and opemning up the space and angles of support)

Transition (easiest time to win the ball back is right when you lose it so pressure the ball and get it back right away

Pressure as a team (the 5 vs 9 have to work as a unit or they will get cut up so work together and close down the space

Open the pitch when you have 9 (don`t let the 5 take away your space, move the ball quick and use the entire space