Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Phase Play: Building Out v Pressing into Trap

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Phase of Play: Building Out of the Back v. Pressing into Central Trap 11v8.

From a goalkick, coach Blue team pressing roles:

1. CF close off support of weak-side CB and GK;

2. Strong-side W underneath FB invite and anticipate pass from CB and round approach to deny pass down the line.

3. CMs positioned on the blind shoulder waiting for the pass central. Close, intercept or force backward.

4.. Weak-side W cheat into middle to mark CM and deny long switch to FB on his side.

5. FBs anticipate balls over the top to either W or CF. Pressure immediately force bad touch, win 2nd ball or force backward.

6. After wining possession, look to create a shot, cross or finish within three passes. At least two runners frame the goal looking for a quick whipped service. CM's look to finish shots from top of box or from cutbacks within two touches.

7. Red attacking team look to circulate the ball, move to support and/or rotate to create open teammates and sound options for keeping the ball. Score by combining with a Red teammate through one of three gates at half line.

8. Red playing principles: No duplication of supporting passing lanes. All three CMs on a different line/height. Rotation between CMs, CM & W, CF & ACM, W & FB. Use the GK to "reset." Draw pressure, moving into suporting passing lanes and play forward. Constant scanning, receive on the half-turf, pass to/receive with far foot whenever possible.

Variations:

-To increase pressure on Red: Take away Red Ws and add Blue CM and CB to increase pressure 11 v 10.

-This phase play and playing principles also be achieved with smaller dimensions and 15 players (9v6), 13 players (8v5), or 11 players (7v4).

-Extend the three gates another 15 yards longer. Have Blue defending team drop into a middle block to pose new problems for the attacking team's buildup. Coach them to maintain tight spacing and force attacking options outside or over the top but not through their shape. Backs must anticipate ball over the top drop into deeper space to take away the long ball option.