Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): 4-3-3 - Pressing from the front 3 & 3 CM's

4-3-3 - Front 3 Pressing Work (30 mins)

Defending - 4-3-3 - Front 3 Where & When to press

7 v 6 + 1 GK's = 14 players

Red Team set up - 3 CM's and 3 CF's (coaching)

Blue Team set up - GK, Back 4 and 3 CM's

* Initially opposition GK plays a pass out to CB's or FB's.

* This can progress to target player / coach playing a long ball to Blue Team Back 4.

* 9, 11 & 7 drop behind the press line (marked with cones or poles) encouraging the opposition to try and play out from the back.

Trigger 1 = GK passes to CB

Trigger 2 = CB passes to FB

Trigger 3 = either CB or FB passes into CM

* 9 = splits the CB's preventing the ball being played to the other side CB while also being able to

pressure the CB with the ball if he steps out with it. Needs to ensure shape of run is an arch

therefore sending the CB out wide to either side or FB.

* 11 = splits the FB and the CB with the ball. Blocking or preventing a pass into the FB while also

being able to pressure the CB with the ball if he steps out with it. Body position must be open

so he can be aware where the FB is. We want to prevent the CB passing to the FB and

therefore playing infield where we have a potential 3v3 press.

* 7 = Splits the other CB and FB. Starting position must be close enough to the FB to prevent the long

diagonal pass but also close enough the other CB to pressure if the ball if played back across

goal. Body position should be open so he can see movement of both players.

* Important to be compact - e.g if Red 7 presses the Blue FB 9 must shuffle over but also Red 11 must tuck in narrow - limiting the space for the Blue team to play accross the back line and force them to going long

* Important 3 CF's drop back as quickly as possible in straight lines to either the retreat poles or 5 yards depending on how play develops infront of them.

* 10 = If the ball is played into the opposition deep lyer must apply pressure and force back towards

own goal if possible or close off the passing option available by forcing inside keeping his head

down. This movement will be carried out by CM who is ball side. Therefore is the ball is on the

opposite side number 8 will press the deep lyer. This understanding must be clear so

responsibility can be accepted.

* 8 = should come infield being aware where the opposition CM is positioned looking to get infront

preventing a simple pass into his feet. Blocking the passing lane off. Must always be aware of

position of CM therefore body position is key and must be open.

* 6 = Should shuffle over covering the space where the ball side opposition CM is free. The distances

here is very important because if you go too tighet you take yourslef out of the game and opens

up a long ball into oppositions strikers feet. Therefore must be close enough to prevent a ball

passed into CM or at least able to pressure and preventing a turn on the ball while being aware

that if a long ball goes into strikers feet you can cover the ground and look to win it off the striker.

Again, body position needs to be on the swivel being aware of the CM and the CF's position.

* Must be aware of WHAT IF scenario's. The 3 triggers are ideal triggers to our movements to press. But a game doesnt always follow movements we want.

WHAT IF - The CB carries the ball out from the back and in midfield? who does what?

WHAT IF - The FB receives the ball and then takes on either 7 / 11 and into the space in behind? who does what?

WHAT IF - The deep lyer drops really deep and receives the ball off the CB? who does what?

WHAT IF - The CB drops a long ball into space out wide for the FB to run into? who does what?

* When Red Team win the