Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending with a No. 9, No. 10 and MF 4

Screen 1 (15 mins)

Function: effecting both left and right sides individually before moving onto 9 v 9 SSG. Pitch is split into two areas by flat disc markers (or cones).

Organisation: Function starts with the GK who plays the ball to Blue CB. Blue Team looking to score by passing the ball to the blue target man. Target man must not leave the centre circle.Red Team looking to cut off pitch/stop blues from playing to target man (Deep lying Midfielder). If the Reds regain possession can they score in three passess. (The two Centre Midfielders 6 and 8 fot the Reds will be introduced in the SSG).

Triggers/Movement (As the ball in travelling from the GK)

1. Red 9 Lone striker looks to narrow the pitch/cut off the switch and to arc run to force the Blue No 4 (CB) forwards.

2. Red Withdrawn striker No 10 splits the pitch and stop the forward pass into the Blue deep lying midfielder/target man. Can they intercept the pass to deep lying midfieleder/target man

3. Red 11 will arc the run to cut off the line and force the full back blue 2 inside. Red 11 set on Blue 2 (FB) first touch. Blue 2 (FB) second touch (Pass back to Blue 4 CB stay high and press).

Once Reds have won the ball or Blues have managed to hit the Target man switch play to the left hand side. Repeat the process with Blue 5 and 3 and Red 7. Introduce switch of role for Red 9 and 10. Same principles of defence. Red 10 to narrow the pitch/cut off the switch and to arc run to force the Blue No 5 (CB) forwards. Red 9 splits the pitch and stop the forward pass into the Blue deep lying midfielder/ target man. Can they intercept the pass to deep lying midfieleder/target man.

Screen 3 (15 mins)

GK to CB

Blue Gk plays out from the back to CB.

Triggers/Movements (As ball travelling from GK)

1. Lone CF looks to narrow pitch/cut off switch (Arc run to force CB forward)

2. CM 8(Closest to ball) applies pressure on 1st CM (Ball side) - Look to step in and regain possession/force backwards

3. Withdrawn CF splits pitch (If ball into CM/1st touch Inside can they win it? Force backwards?)

4. 2nd CM 6 always Deepest Lyer of Midfield 4 (if ball travels to further CM, can he win it? force backwards)

Screen 5 (15 mins)

Triggers 4/5/6

(1. Winger recovers as ball bypasses him).

4. Red 10's trigger is FB touch -Aware of Decision Making from FB,- (1. Split Pitch - Cut off supply to opposite winger)- (2. Ball into CM / If on Inside Foot, Are we in a Position to apply pressure from the Front?)

5. Red 6 trigger is CM REd 8 stepping in. Narrows pitch / Cut off supply into CF if dropped off. Always deepest of midfield 4.

6. Opposite Red 11 winger squeezes play (Level with Withdrawn CF) / Body open for switch. (1. Ball into CM / If on Inside Foot, Are we in a Position to Apply Pressure from the Front?)

Screen 7 (15 mins)

If switch happens: If switch is made.

Withdrawn striker arcs run to show CB outside triggers as ball is travelling from Blue FB to Blue CB if ball travelling to FB - Winger arcs run to cut off line and force play inside. Winger set on FB 1st touch.- FB 2nd touch (Pass into CM - Winger recovers) (Pass into CB - Stay high)

Trigger for CM Red 6 player closest to the ball is wingers Red 11 movement . Red 6 look to apply pressure on outside shoulder of CM ,thought Process (1. Can I Step in to Win?) (2. Apply Pressure & Force Back)

Wingers Red 11 trigger on CB first touch