Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Creating a mid block in wide and central areas.

Screen 2

Set up as shown in diagram with managed team (reds) playing 1-4-3-1 (target player) against coached team (blues) who are playing 1-5-2. Target player/blue defender can step out and be replaced by a team mate. Reds aim to play into their target player in the end zone whilst blues try and prevent the ball going into him and attack the main goal if they win it back. Reds earn a point for hitting their target player whilst blues earn a pint for any possession regain in the middle third and another for scoring in the main goal. They have an 8 second time limit to score when regaining possesion to ensure they don't spend too much time in possession.

Two start points will be used:

1. Blues give the ball away when trying to play from midfield to their striker. Ball instead goes to the red centre backs.

2. As above but the ball now goes into the goalkeeper who then tries to play out as we expect our opponents to do in Match 9.

Observation and Coaching points:

1. Stand back and watch to ensure both teams are set up and playing as instructed.

2. Get the centre forwards to drop slightly and narrow to block the red centre backs playing forward and them to play wide.

3. If the centre back begins to carry the ball forward rather than immediately going wide then the nearest attacking midfielder would engage them with a 'semi' press whilst still blocking forward passes with body shape.

4. Once the ball goes wide to the full back this is a trigger for the wing back to go and press - forcing the full back inside.

5. Ball to full back is also a trigger for the whole midfield unit to shuffle over, including the weak side wing back who narrows. Number 4 should shield balls into the target player

6. If the ball is now played forward blues should be in a position to press and win the ball. Wing back who pressed should drop and narrow slightly to offer support

7. If the reds switch play across the back line, blues should again shuffle and apply all of the above points.

Scenario to add: blues 1-0 up with x minutes to go and looking to maintain lead.