Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Condensing the space in the centre and blocking the direct path to goal

Condensing the space in the center after losing possession in a 5 v 5 (+2) transition game (20 mins)

Objective: To work on collective passing in the transition from attack to defence - to condense the space in the centre to prevent the opposition from playing out.

Description:

In a 25 x 25 yard area we play 5 v 5 with 2 additional neutral players (yellow) who always play with the team in possession.

One team starts in possession (blues in diagram) and they have 2 players outside at the bottom of the area (centre backs - 4&5), 2 players inside the area (central midfielders - 6&8), and 1 player outside at the top (attacking midfielders - 10). The neutral players are positioned outside on the siders. The other team (reds) have all of their 5 players inside the area. 

Challenges: 

• The first objective for the blue team (with help from the neutrals) is to complete 6-8 consecutive passes to score 1 point.
• The red team apply collective pressing to try and win the ball. If the blues lose possession, the 3 outside blue players and 3 reds inside players swap positions. The team roles are reversed.
• The blue teams second objective is to then try and recover the ball as soon as possible. They need to be quick and press with the correct angles to block passes to the outside neutral players. 
• If the blue team completes 6-8 consecutive passes in the first phase, they score 1 point.
• If the red team keeps the ball for 6-8 seconds, they score 1 point.
• If the red team completes 6 consecutive passes, they score 2 points.
• If the blue team recovers the ball within 6 seconds they score 1 point. 

The team learns the rhythm of trying to keep possession, losing the ball, and then trying to win the ball back as quickly as possible. If the ball goes out of play, start again with the same team in possession. 

Condensing the space in the centre and forcing the play wide in a 6 (+2) v 6 (+2) SSG

Description:

In a 35 x 35 yard area we have 2 full-sized goals and 2 teams of 8 players. Inside the area, we have a 5 v 5 situation with both teams in a 2-2-1 formation. Both teams also have 2 wingers positioned outside at the sides (7&11).

We start with a keeper and play a normal 5v5 game. When a team loses the ball (blues), their aim is to condense the space in the centre and block the direct path to goal (forcing play wide). The team in transition from defence to attack (reds) have a numerical advantage as they can use both of their wide players for a 7v5 attack.

When possession is lost, all 5 blue players move quickly to close the space in the centre, block off passing options towards goal and force the play wide. If the ball is played wide (e.g. to no 7 in the diagram), the blues must react collectively again to the new tactical situation. When an attack finishes, the practice always starts with the goalkeeper from the team that just finished their attack,

Challenges:

• In the transition from defence o attack, the team must finish their attack within 8-12 seconds.
• If the team in transition from attack to defence recover the ball within 6 seconds, they score 1 point.
• The 2 outside players can both go inside the area for a transition to attack. You decide if they can score or not. 

Physical considerations - a 1-minute break between blocks for interventions and to also allow for recovery before progressing.

Psychological - conditions, challenges, and targets make players think and problem solve (Guided discovery, trial & error). Scoring systems make players think about the best movements.

Social-team discussions, questions, and answers between players and coaches. Coach-athlete relationship allowing for involvement in decisions.