Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): FAW B Licence - Breaking Lines - General Practice

General Practice (15 mins)

Welsh Way Principles - Playing through/around/over

- Understand when and how to play through, around or over the opposition depending on the type of pressure applied

Organisation/Area Size:

- Two zones of 20 x 15yrds, with 5yrd channel in middle

- 12 players split into 3 teams of 4

- Yellows occupy middle channel as defenders, while reds and purples occupy one end zone each

- Play 3 x 3min periods with 2min break in between

Explanation:

- The aim of the team in possession (purple/red) is to transfer the ball from one end zone to the other by playing through, around or over the defenders (yellows). Two defenders (yellows) can move into the end zone where the ball is in an attempt to regain possession and score in a mini goal. If the ball is successfully transferred from one end zone to the other the 2 defenders retreat to their middle channel, while their 2 teammates then move to press the ball in the opposite zone.

How:

- Coach is to work with the two teams in the end zones. Defending team are managed to be realistic and aggressive in the way they press the ball

Conditions/Challenges/Targets:

- Players encouraged to break line of the defenders by playing split passes through (2 points), around (1 point) or over (1 point). Defending team aim to win the ball and score in mini goal (2 points) 

- If defending team can win the ball back and decide to transfer the ball to opposite end zone, then they become a possession team and the team that lost possession become the defenders

- Possession teams must make 3 passes before attempting to break the line

- Bonus point if team in possession complete a split pass between the two pressing defenders before then transferring the ball to opposite end zone

- If goal is scored or ball goes dead, coach serves a ball into opposite zone. The two yellows must retreat back to the middle channel while their two teammates move to press the ball in the other zone.

Key Points:

In possession:

- Try to play through, around or over opposition

- Make pitch big (width and depth)

- Look to play forward

- Move the ball quickly with limited touches

- First touch should change the angle the defender approaches from

- Scan the pitch regularly and maintain open body shape when receiving 

Out of possession:

- Force play wide

- Press aggressively

- Prevent split passes