Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Escape Pressure to Play Forward

Escaping Pressure 1v1 (10 mins)

15X12 area

1v1 Exercise: player 2 receive pass from player 1, who apply pressure quickly to defend. Player 2 must escape pressure to dribble through either of the red goals. Should player 1 win possession player 1 dribbles through either of the blue goals.

Players rotate positions each turn. A point is scored if players is successful dribbling through his goal. First player to score 5pts wins the game. best of 3 games, then change partners

Key coaching points:Intensity of the 1v1 competition - must be played at match pace

Player 2: ability to handle ball under pressure and escape pressureDeception - upper body and hips, footwork and exit

Player 1: ability to defend in 1v1. Pressure, brakes, body shape, footwork. Arms

Red Bull Game

Organization:

Red Bull game.  Set up as above.

Instructions:

- Team attacks 3v2 and attempts to score on opposing goal.

- As soon as the ball goes dead the defending team drops out and the resting team behind the goal drive on with a new ball.

- Process is continuous

- Play 4 x 3 minutes

- Set 1: Must bounce off plus player

- Set 2: Can bounce of plus player or drive in with ball

- Set 3: Bounce player can drive forward when receiving

Coaching Points:

- Be switched on and ready to attack at pace and be positive

- Drive at the defender with the ball (numbers up) - Commit

- Decision; slip a pass to your teammate or use them as a decoy and beat the defender yourself

- Be creative and take chances (Can I create a chance for myself? Can I create a chance for my teammate?)

- Runs of players without the ball (create space for yourself and your teammate on the ball) - get ahead of the ball when possible

- Extra passes to create tap-ins

- Tempo in attack - maintain forward momentum