Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): final 3rth

Switching play - 3v3 + Targets (20 mins)

Title: Liverpool 2 Direction Possession.

Purpose: 

 Moving the ball away from pressure while changing the point of attack

Organization & Objective: 

 8-12 players. 25x25 yard grid. There will be 4 players on the outside. Two players from each team on opposite sides. Connect passes with inside players while trying to change the point of attack from east to west or north to south. Team with the ball should be trying to find central players to switch the point of attack. A team is rewarded a point if they hit both of their target wall players without being dispossessed. Rotate outside players in every 3 minutes.

Progressions: 

• Two touch max for outside players.
• All inside players are to touch the ball between wall players if they are to be rewarded a point. 
• Inside players follow your pass and replace the outside player. Outside players first touch must be positive into space and away from defenders.

Coaching Points: 

• Quick off ball movement. Move to open space and adjust your angle to be in a supportive position.
• Play with urgency. Stay relaxed but play quick.
• Play backwards to your wall if there is pressure on you.

Specific 1 (10 mins)

Set Up

• Area Size - Half Pitch
• Both zone B's are the width from the touchline to the 18 yard box
• Zone A is the width of the 18 yard box

Objectives

• To switch play in the first third/defensive third using a link player positioned in Zone A
• To overload wide areas using quick, short passes to draw the opposition press and create space
• To capitalize on unopposed wide areas using direct, fast paced offensive actions, eg. Exploiting 1v1's, overlapping runs creating overloads or dangerous crosses into the box

Drill

• Both teams when in possession will look to switch the play using a link player in their defensive thirds, represented as the 'First Third'
• If successfully completed and rounded off with a goal, the team will score 2 points
• Despite the objectives, if a team wins possession higher than their defensive third, they will look to 'Play Real' attacking the goal and scoring without switching play in deep areas, giving them 1 point
• If the team in possession score, play will resume back in their defensive third ready to restart the game
• Offsides are also in-effective throughout

Coaching Points

In Possession

• Stretch the opposition and create space by expanding our shape
• Wide players positioning themselves high and wide to provide depth and width
• Overload wide areas to draw the opposition press using short, sharp bounce passes and intelligent movement
• Ensure players receive the ball with the correct body positioning, looking to play on the half turn allowing for fast progressions of play when played forwards or switched

Out of Possession

• Operate in a compact and narrow shape preventing progression through central areas
• Look to occupy the two vertical zones closest to the ball, ensuring shorter distances between players allowing the team to remain compact
• If possession is lost look to press aggressively for 5 seconds before reverting into a compact shape

Progressions/regressions

• 2 touch max for central link player in zone A
• Switch can be made without central link player, ball can travel from zone B to zone B directly