Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Session Plan 1 - In Possession - Breaking Lines

Description

Session to work on breaking lines by playing through a press and helping players understand when to play through, around or over the opposition when facing a defensive line and press. 

1. Welsh Way Principles - Understanding when to play through, around or over

2. Organisation/Area Size - 25m x 40m split into 3 equal size sections.   12 Players required, 8 red, 4 blue. Within the red players it requires 2 x GKs who play both in goal but also as an outfield player.  3 blocks of 5 mins with 2min interval between each block

3. Explanation - The set objective is for the team in possession to play either through, round or over the defending zone in the middle 

4. How - The reds play as the in possession team. They 'score' by the successful breaking of the line in the middle.  The blue team defend and try to thwart the transfer of the ball between the two red teams.  If the blues are successful in stopping the pass, they then quickly become the offensive team and try to score in either of the goals at the end of the pitch. 

5. Conditions, Challenges and Targets - The challenge for the in possession team is to retain the ball whilst continually looking to break the line of the defenders separating them from their coloured teammates. 

In Block 1 the only condition is that the players must stay within their marked zones.  If the intensity of the session isn't high enough, a time limit or pass limit could be imposed on the Red team for each transition.

In Block 2 there are two progressions.  The first is that we allow the defenders to press the ball in the red zone.  Any number of the four players are allowed to go into the zone to put pressure on the ball and try to force a pass for the defending zone to intercept.  The second is that we allow a red player to drive through the defensive line if the opportunity arises. (If so a red from the other side would join the spot the player left).  

In Block 3 we allow a red attacker from the opposite zone to come into the defensive zone and receive the ball.  They then have the option to set the ball back or can they turn and play the ball to their red teammates and continue the possession.

6. Key coaching points

In possession:

Looking for split passes / quality and weight of passing / body position for receiving the ball (seeing three corners) / playing forwards / combinations in triangles / dribbling and running with the ball to exploit space / making the pitch big / control in tight areas

Out of possession:

Anticipating split passes / forcing play wide / defending narrow / triggers for press / 1v3 defensive positioning

7. Coaching Interventions

Terminal feedback; start of block one to set up rules of play (60 secs), then progression briefing at each break before the next block.  Concurrent interventions for in possession team.  Coaching process only to be used if practice isn't understood or successful.