Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Pre Season _ Wk 2 & 5 _ Tactical - Session 2 - BPO Forward 3rd - Pressing the Restart

Football Problem / Team Task

Football Problem - Co-ordinated  Pressing the GK restart (4-3-3) when opposition playing out from the back when opposition to take away easy out ball to opposition 2 and 5.

Team Task -  'Win in ball high up the park by pressing in a manner that takes away time and easy wide out balls from opposition when they play out from a goalkeeper, by pressing angles and team behind the first line of the press. Penetrate the first line of pressing (pass or running with ball) in a way that We have a player facing forward in possession in the middle zone.' 

Session for - 16 Players

Passing Practice / Warm Up - Prog 2 (20 mins)

Set Up - 16 players, 10 red cones, 10 red balls, 4 yellow bibs (prog 2 & 3), 2 manequins (Start only).

Rules - Players pass ball and follow pass. 1 Passive Defender (Yellow Bib) in each segment. Passive defender starts outside box if start is 6-yard or inside box if start is 9. Alternate Passive defender every 30 seconds. Encourage possession players to move off starting markers to receive ball.

Objective - Each player in grid must tough the ball, facing forward to pass to the target at the other end. Presser controls the direction of the possession by the angle of the pres.

Start:

A. GK, pass to No. 4 position. No 4. passes to 6 or 5 who pass to 10, who lays back to either 6 or 5 (who didn't make the pass to 10, who pass through to 9.  

B. No. Continues passing progression as if GK in other segment.

C. Alternate direction. GK to 3, to 6 or 2, to 8, to 6 or 2, to 9.

Technical Points - Importance of blocking the easy pass before the press.Possession players movement and anticipation based on movement of defender to block pass. 8 & 10 create more depth to allow lay back space so teammate can get an angle for pass away from defender. Body position to receive ball, Receiving on back foot for efficiency of ball movement.

Game Training (10 mins)

Rules: Red team to start at GK and play ball with pass to either Blue 3 or 4. Once ball in play fist line of Blue (7, 9, 11) press bal0l and remaining Blue take up defensive high press positions..  Goals by first time finish. Defending team wins the ball and has 7 seconds to score, if no goal, restart from Blue GK. Ball out restart from Blue GK. 25 minute game.

5W's - Disrupt Controlled Possession to win ball in positions close to goal; Attacking 3rd, BPO Playing out from Back, Quick and measured closing down as a team, Outside Players (7 & 11) angle of press takes away easy wide ball forcing passes centrally where We have a packed defense. To win the ball in goal scoring positions.

- Organisation: Defensive Half Field from Goal Line to Half way =  20 balls (all in Blue Goal); 2 small goals on half way10m in from side lines. 1 full size goal in normal position. 4 poles 2 sets at edge of field (10m outside box and 20m in from half 16 Players (9 red (incl. GK) 7 blue bibs).

- Attitude: Focus on players working on co-ordinate approach to pressing, intensity must be high and focused.

- Ability: Adjust starting positions to allow flow of session. Red 2 and 5 start 10m higher from box until ball played to allow press to have some early success. Then allow more fluidty in their position so that press can interpret and react. Focus on players being aware of opposition player positions before pressing.

- Understanding: Allow several restarts to ensure focus is on co-ordinated pressing from the right angles.

- Shape: All players to start in normal positions when receiving / pressing from goal kick.  Red to be GK, 3 & 4; 2, 2nd 6, 5; 2nd 9. 2nd 10,2nd 8; Blue to be 1st choice players 7, 9, 11, 6, 8, 10 plus 2nd 4.  Ensure opposition (Red) continue to try to play out from the back  out to replicate game scenario. Work on Red 9, 8 & 10 to retain length in the field to allow more space for playing out from the back.

- Self: Remember Team Task 'Win in ball high up the park by pressing in a manner that takes away time and easy wide out balls from opposition when they play out from a goalkeeper, by pressing angles and team behind the first line of the press. Penetrate the first line of pressing (pass or running with ball) in a way that We have a player facing forward in possession in the middle zone.'

Player Tasks:

- Blue 7 & 11 to be positioned such that they can see their opponent 2 or 5 and block the easy outlet pass to them from the red 3 or 4. Then press at pace, if ball goes to other sit make movement to a position to cover midfield and switch. 

- Blue 9 starting position to encourage GK to pass to their left hand side or weakest of 2 centre-backs on the ball. 

- Blue 10 to press red 6 and if possible get in front blocking the bounce pass. 

- Blue 6 and 8 to be tight to the opposition 8 and 10 so that they can step in front is pass is under-hit.

- If Red find 2 or 5 closest of Blue 8 or 6 press fast while ball is in the air and try and force pass backwards. Blue 6 switches to mid-fielder vacated by Blue 8 and Blue 7 or 11 on opposite drops to cover most advanced Red Midfielder.

Coaching Queues:

- Blue 7 or 11 pressing from a direction that does not block the easy pass to 2 or 5, or not retreating to cover midfield if the play goes down the opposite site.

- Blue 9, Closing GK from a straight angle.

- Blue 10 not being in front of Red 6.   

- Blue 6 or 8 not being close enough to opposing Red plays or not closing and shifting if ball makes Red 2 or 5.

Training Game (10 mins)

Rules: Open Game, but formations remain as per Game Training. Use 2nd keeper if possible otherwise, two small goals inside main goal on half ways as targets {Shown as poles above). Blue can only score in small goals inside half way goal. Reds score in normal full goal attended by goalkeeper. All goals worth 1 point. Play 10 minute halves. 20 minute game.