Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Breaking lines in possession SSG OA3

SSG Playing around

Breaking lines in possession SSG

Welsh way principles - Breaking lines

Understand when and how to play through, around and over the opposition based on the type of pressure applied.

Area Size

Full width x 70 yards, split in to 3 zones. Tapper line from the Reds goal line

(May vary depending on age and ability)

Footballs behind the goals

8 x Blue, 8 x Red bibs, based on an 11 a side 4-3-3 the reds missing both fullbacks and the Blue team missing the 2 wide strikers.

RED TEAM 2 x CB, 1 x CDM, 2 x CM and a front 3.

BLUE TEAM Back 4, 1 X CDM, 2 x CM and a ST

3 x 4 min with time set aside for terminal feedback in the breaks.

The coach will be working with the RED team trying to maintain possession while the BLUE team will be managed to be realistic in the way the apply pressure on the ball and defend using the key points. If the Blue team are having more success in possession they will challenged to a number of touches, time on the ball etc. If the REDS lose the ball they will be working on the out of possession principles.

The Session Details

Start off with the REDS goalkeeper the aim is to maintain possession of the ball and go forward by breaking lines by playing around, through or over. If we can't go forward we need to be patient and recycle the ball and use the overload to move the opposition around. If the BLUES win the ball they will have 8 second to try and score. The 3 zones are there as a reference point to start off with as is the penalty area.

First 4 min block we are looking to play around

We are looking to play in to either CB, if the left sided CB get the ball that is the trigger for the left sided CM to drop in to a "false fullback" position his next pass will be determined by the pressure applied he can either playing the left winger or if the winger comes inside creating a diamond shape for passing options I would look for the ST to run behind in to the area behind the full back to stretch their defence. When the LCM has the ball that would be the trigger for the RCM to come inside making forward runs creating space for the CDM if there is nothing on and they have to recycle. The RW would stay on his touch line making the pitch big (Width) but waiting for the LW getting the ball in the half space between the FB and their CB or the ST making a run behind their FB this will be his trigger to come inside and get in between their CB. What I'm looking for from the players is can we get the ball on the half turn on our back foot, but being patient and waiting for the right moment to break lines. Will be looking for an triangles in possession with passing angles and no straight passes.

Conditions, Challenges and Targets RED team

1. For the Reds to score all the outfield players must be in the attacking zones.

2. The Reds CB have 3 x touches to reach the white line or pass it.

3. Players score 1 goal if they score by playing around.

4. Extra 2 points if they score by playing through the middle.

5. Extra 3 points if they score by playing a ball over their defence.

Conditions, Challenges and Targets BLUE team

1. Can they score within a managed count down while still breaking lines

2. 2 x points for a goal scored from a direct pass to the striker

What ifs

1. The movement of our players dictate the next option, If their ST doesn't press the CB can break lines by travelling with the ball forward.

2. If their RB comes inside to follow the LW run leaving space behind him to exploit, or if he doesn't the LW will have space to receive in the half space.

3. If the Blues midfield press our midfield 1 v 1 we can recycle and use our numerical advantage at the back.

SSG Playing over

Third 4 min Block Playing over.

Slight change in the Blues formation for the what if they switch to 2 x ST and 2 x CM to stop us playing through making it more difficult to play through as our CB are marked. This means that we maintain our positions but our CDM might drop in between or he can receive the ball in the space between their ST and Midfield. (This might be done in the 2nd 4 min block).

Option of changing the zones so the both teams would need to be further up the field, leaving space behind to exploit.

What ifs

1. The ST is to drop in to a false 9 position, depending on the pressure applied does their CB follow leaving space behind that would be the trigger for both our wingers to make a run in to the gap behind, if the CB stays the ST can turn and run towards their CB again the wide players would delay their run until he was on the half turn.

2. The front three will be looking to stretch the opponents back 4, will need to work on triggers so we get the timing of the runs right, the delivery could come from goalkeeper, CB or midfield.