Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Press, win the ball + counter attack with quick combination play in limited space (OP)

Press, win the ball and support play in an 8 v 4 (+6) possession game (20 mins)

Objective: The players work on keeping possession after the transition from defence to attack.

Description:

In a 35 x 35 yard area, we have 2 teams. The blue team have all of their 8 players inside the area, using a 2-3-3 formation (from 4-3-3). The red team have 10 players in a 4-4-2 formation (diamond midfield used in the diagram). 2 centre backs, 2 full backs and 2 forward are positioned outside the area in the positions shown and the 4 midfielders are inside. 

The practice starts with the blue team in possession and they play 8 v 4 inside the area and aim to complete 10 consecutive passes (1 point) or keep the ball for 12 seconds (2 points). The 4 red midfielders try to win the ball or force their opponents into making a wrong decision. If the reds win the ball, they then try to keep possession against the yellow team, using the outside players to support (8 consecutive passes = 1 point).

Challenges:

• The red outside players are not allowed inside the area.
• The blue players and the red outside players are limited to 2 touches. 

• The red midfielders (numerical disadvantage) need to press as a unit to limit space/ time and win the ball.
• After the reds recover the ball, they need to exhibit the following attributes: speed, power, quality of pass, good decision making, one-touch passing, correct angles, and distances to support play, and good communication to avoid pressure from their opponents. 

6 x 3 minutes (2-minute intervention)

Interventions: 

• Concurrent - player-coach interaction during periods of play, the practice remains uninterrupted.
• Terminal - player-coach intervention during predetermined breaks in play.
• Walkthrough - the coach utilizes this technique to give players a clear idea of what is required from a practice or block of work. show players how you would like them to switch play, using a curve, playing with the backline.
• Coaching Process - the coach identifies a problem during play, provides feedback, rehearsal, and restarts practice from the same positions that the problem starts.

Press, win the ball + counter attack with quick combination play in limited space (zonal game)

Description:

In this progression of the previous practice, we mark out 3 zones on a full pitch (as shown in the diagram) and we add 2 full-size goals with goalkeepers.

The practice starts with a Blue center back (4 or 5) and the blue team's aim is to score a goal. The red team must defend well in the low zone, try and win the ball and then make a quick transition from defence to attack (under pressure from the blues). A minimum of 2 red players should leave the large zone to support the 2 forwards (9 & 11) and launch a fast-break attack, finishing within 10-12 seconds. 

Challenges:

• The 6 blue players in the large zone can only trackback once the ball has crossed the halfway line.
• The 2 blue center-backs are allowed to enter the forwards' zone and apply pressure to try and win the ball.
• A blue goal scores 1 point and a red goal scores 2 points (as long as it is completed within 10-12 seconds). 

• The red players need to press as a unit to limit space/ time in the first phase to win the ball.
• There needs to be a rhythm to the timing of movement/ runs, combined with good communication.
• Players need to use quality and effective finishing in front of goal - using 1 touch whenever possible.