Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Breaking Lines

Specific

In Possession Team – Blues (Coached)

Set up in a -2-3- formation (representative of a 1-4-3-3)

Out of Possession Team – Red (Managed)

Set up in a (GK) 1-4-1- formation (representative of a 1-4-2-3-1)

Explanation:

- The attacking team (Blues) are set up with a front three (2 wingers and a CF) and two attacking central midfielders.

- The defending team (Red) are set up with a goalkeeper, a back four and one defensive midfielder.

- Play will start (and restart) from the server positioned on the half-way line.

- If the defending team win possession, they can score by counter attacking and playing into the two small target goals or the server.

HOW?

- The coach will work with the BLUES IN POSSESSION

Structure

- 4 x 4-minute blocks

- 16 minutes ball rolling

- 3 x 1-minute active rest - feedback / walkthrough / coaching process opportunities

KEY COACHING POINTS – EMPHASISE…

- Try to play through/around/over the opposition

- Stretch the pitch (Provide width and depth)

- Maintain high ball speed, use limited touches

- Try to play forward

REINFORCE…

- Open body shape to receive on back foot (Can you always see 3 corners?)

- Sacrifice/decoy runs

Conditions:

1. Practice starts from the server and resets when the ball goes dead or a goal is scored.

2. Red can score by passing into the small goals or into the server

3. Offside rule applies to maintain game realism

Challenges:

1. Can the Blues play forward, combine with their forwards wide and centrally and play through balls behind the defence to create goalscoring opportunities?

Targets:

1. Blues to concentrate on playing through and around the defence to create opportunities.

2. Red have 8 seconds upon regaining possession to counter-attack and score.

KEY QUESTIONS:

HOW? – WHERE? – WHEN? – WHAT? – WHO? – WHY? – WHAT IF?

WHAT IS HAPPENING…

- ON the ball

- AROUND the ball

- AWAY FROM the ball

In Possession Roles & Responsibilities:

Starting positions relative to the ball...

1. CENTRAL - The front 3 should push as high as possible to pin back the defenders, with the two wingers as wide as possible. All three should look to make runs diagonally to be played in behind, or drop short to receive at feet.

2. WIDE - Ball side winger should always look to stretch the pitch as wide as possible, with the CF trying to stretch as high as possible. The opposite winger should narrow up 15-25 yards to provide a combination opportunity with the CF and to create another threat in behind.

RW & LW

- When receiving at feet, maximise 1vs1 and attack at speed when possible.

- Deliver crosses into central areas.

- Get head up and look for the cut back (penalty spot reference)

- Depending on angle of run and proximity to goal, exploit shooting opportunities.

What If? Scenario 2

What If?

Problem 2 – The Red back four stay narrow, defending the width of the 18-yard box with the DM screening in front of them. This allows the Blue wingers to receive on the half turn and attack the space.

Solutions:

As the ball side winger receives the ball from a deep or lateral player, this triggers the opposite winger on the weak side to narrow in 15-25 yards off the touchline. This creates an additional threat behind the defence.

Option 1 – Blue #11 attacks the space and challenges the Green FB 1vs1.

Option 2 – Blue #11 cuts in diagonally into the box, isolating the Green FB in a 1vs1.

Option 3 – Blue #11 makes an early diagonal cross behind the defence for the opposite winger making a run to the back post.

Option 4 – Use the Blue CF to combine to create a 2vs1 situation, with a wall pass to either attack the byline or travel into or across the penalty area.

What If?

What If?

Problem 1 – Red maintain a high defensive line, using the final third line and cones as a reference. This forces the front three to adopt deeper starting positions, however leaves space to be exploited in behind the defensive line.

Solution 1 – Starting from a deeper position, the Blue CF looks to drop in to receive and play a bounce pass back to the CM. The CM can then look to combine with the other midfielders who find pockets to receive on the half turn to play forward, searching for penetrating balls through to the wingers who look to make diagonal runs inside and behind the defensive line.

Solution 2 – Introduce the ‘Up-Back-Through’ and ‘third person run’ concept. When the ball side CB receives the ball, the opposite side CM should be away from the ball to open up space. As the ball is played into the CF and set back, this should trigger the opposite side CM to exploit the space in behind.

Potential Interventions

- Concurrent

- Terminal

- Walk Through

- Coaching Process