Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): The midfield 3 in possession in the opponents half (Start Time: 2018-09-29 09:30:00)

Arrival Activity (15 mins)

Players get into groups of three in one of the grids and begin to pass the ball with minimal touches, in any direction. 

After a minute encourage the players not receiving the ball to move as the ball is travelling e.g. passer and third player receive. 

Get the players to think about having an open body shape and look to receive across body (back foot).

Further progressions could be:

- Up, back and through.- passer takes a touch in the direction they intend to pass to.

- Passer and third man (non-receiving player) rotate while ball is travelling to mimic covering a position while another player commits and also initiate one-twos. 

- No look pass/ reverse trigger (sole roll)- add defenders (3v1, 3v2, 3v3), use more than one grid if required.

Lane half a pitch. (30 mins)

Organisation: Team in possession (focus) playing  1-4-3-3 against a 1-4-4-2. On half a pitch (50 yards by 60 yards) where team in possession have midfield 3 and front 3 against a goalkeeper, back 4 and 2 midfielders (6v7). If numbers are limited the left side can be tapered off or one centre back from the opposition can be removed or replaced with a 10, the attacking teams no.4 can also be a neutral player and play as the 10 for the opposition to encourage white team to drop if they lose possession (transition). The no.4 starts the practise.

Aim to get the ball to the front three and create attempts on goal.

First part of phase: Have certain players stand passively or put passive pressure to rehearse the movements and different passing options. 

Main session: The no.4 will take a touch and the play is live, looking to give the ball to the 8 or 10. When the primary unit understand the movements and make the pitch big, the secondary unit are must support the primary players/ unit. After 10-5 minutes with at least 3-5 attempts on goal, make the play continuous e.g. throw ins, goal kicks. 

Progressions:

- Allow the opponents to start where they like (not neccesarily a low block) how will the team in possession react?

- Alter the numbers where possible to create overload for the opposition.

Primary player: Midfielder (8 or 10, depending on first touch)

Primary unit:  4,8 and 10 (defensive midfielder with the 2 midfielders)

Secondary unit: 8 with the 7 or 9 and the 10 with the 9 or 11.

Opposition management: Try to stop the team in possession and get the ball to the wide areas (mini goals). During breaks in play get group to discuss ways they can win the ball and score in the mini goals. 

Coaching position: Primarily with the 8 and 10 then moving around the field to coach each aspect from the 4 to the 8 and 10 to the front three (7/11 and 9).

Trigger: First trigger; 4 takes a touch to the right, 8 moves to half space of lane and 10 moves towards far post in their lanes to expand the pitch midfield and create space to penetrate. 4 goes to the left 10 pulls away to open passing lane.

Second trigger; When the 8/10 get the ball 7/11 to make a run inside the full back (the space between full back and centre back) if they get tight or outside if they stay compact with their defence.

What if: 

- If 7/11 cut back towards the midfield, 8/10 look to support at a 45 degree angle where possible. 

- If the 9 comes short, 8/10 look to support at angle.

Progressive trigger: For a reverse pass from the 4, they can use a sole roll as in the AA and pass to the other midfielder e.g. sole roll to the right to pass to the 10.

Coaching points:

Support, movement, create space: 

- The 8 and 10 reacting to the 4's trigger ensuring all 3 players occupy the middle 3 lanes and offer depth (in different lines)in relation to the ball, to stretch opposition midfield.

- Supporting players move in front of, away or behind defender as necessary, half turn to receive.

- Once received do I need to travel with the ball to create space to pass? 

- 7 and 11 to start on touchline, on half turn to give width & space to team and stretch or move defence (support)

- 8/10 support the front 3 if the receive in front of defence and look to 

Penetration: 

- 8/10 look to find 9 and 7/11 in behind defence though channels between defenders.

- Decision making; selection of pass type (short/ long), height, part of foot, which foot passing to (receiving player), which player? are they outnumbered in their area of the pitch? Can they combine to overload their area of the pitch?

- Has the defence pushed up, what is the solution?

Interventions: Spend time with the primary unit to discuss the initial part of the phase, then focus on the wide players and then the 9.