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Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Working in Transition - defensive principles and positioning

Profile Summary

James Boyle
Name: James Boyle
City: The Ponds
Country: Australia
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Passing Practice

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Passing Practice
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Passing Practice (10 mins)

Ball starts with player on corner with another player behind. Ball is passed to diagonal player and immediate pressing at intensitiy to the player receiving the ball to allow the pass to be received and then made to next diagonally positioned player with 2 – 3 touches. When ball reaches end of the grid, the player passes back to the GK and receives ball back from GK to then play back to starting position.

Ball can also start from middle of grid to allow 2 balls to be moving at once.

Progression is to have

2 balls in progress at the same time.

3 balls in progress at the same time

Maximum of 2 touches on the ball to force quicker ball movement and body position and shape.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Positioning Game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Positioning Game
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Positioning Game (20 mins)

16 minutes 4 x 3 minutes and 1 min break between

1 point for every 10 passes of team in possession. 1 point for every interception and transition pass. 2 points for successful transition to new zone within 3 seconds

2 zones set up with a 12 metre gap between them. 6 (black) v 3 (red) in one zone and 1 (black) v 4 (red) in the other zone. The 1 v 4 zone has no ball, but players must be moving into space ready to receive ball. Within the 6 v 3 zone, the team of 6 aim to maintain possession and the team of 3 aim to win possession. When the team of 3 win possession, they must play ball to one of their team mates in the opposite grid and 2 players from that team transition in to the next grid. The team that have lost possession must also transition 2 players quickly to try and win the ball back from the new BP team. This means we have a 6 v 3 in the new grid.The same actions continue in the new grid.

Can the team in BP transition quickly into the new zone when possession is lost to prevent the new team in possession making 10 complete passes, and win the ball back as quickly as possible, to allow the ball to be played back to their team mates. BP > BPO(both teams) immediate transition & pressure on ball carrier, win ball back or force mistake as soon as possible before they can pass to free player in other half then immediate BPO > BP in other half of grid.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Game Training

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Game Training
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Game Training

Black Team (def) GK, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 – Red – (Att) – 9, 7, 10, 11, 6, 8, 4

Ball is played from the GK to the black team in possession. When the ball is turned over in transition, the aim is for the black team to get into to BPO defensive state quickly so as to prevent the red team from creating an opportunity by driving forward. The Red team should look to press the Black team in a controlled manner to win the ball to force the black team into a BPO moment.

When the Red team win the ball, their aim is to score. If the Black team are able to maintain possession, they will score a point if they can play their number 10 who holds controlled possession and carries the ball over the white line.

Focus needs to be on the placement of the players relative to where the ball is lost.

When the ball is lost in transition, can we determine when the right time is to press the ball carrier without exposing team mates to a 1 on 1 situation. Can you decide when to press the ball or when to delay the ball by using your body shape, forcing the opponent to play a sidewards or backwards ball.

What to look for

When possession is lost can (nearest /1st defender) immediately close down ball so that player in possession is under pressure and can’t play forward.

As the 1st defender engages ball carrier can the 2nd defender position themselves close enough to take over if 1st defender is beaten

As 1st and 2nd Defenders are engaging the prevention measures can the 2, 5, 6, 8 and 10 tuck in and get goalside of opponent to focus our defensive effort on preventing the ball going forward.

As the ball moves can we all adjust our defensive positioning together with a new 1st defender pressing the ball immediately

As the defensive positioning is set, can players behind coach and direct those in front off them.

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