Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Match Prep Session 6

Description

Organisation (Practice Layout & Transition)

Context: The last time we came across this opposition they caused a lot of problems with their 1-5-3-2 shape, and previously we had set up in 1-4-3-3, but to better defend their shape we switched to a 1-3-4-3 (Flat).
The Problem: In the middle third of the pitch when the blues have comfortable possession, we found it hard to defend their 5-3-2 as their 2 Strikers pinned our back 4, their midfield 3 opened the middle of the pitch and their CBs stretched us from side to side.
The solution: Switching to a 3-4-3 (Flat)

Coaching points:
When the ball is one of the outside CBs this was our structure
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Our ball side Wing back (#2/11) deals with their ball side wing
back (1v1 in wide areas) so we always have someone responsible for the WBs which we previously didn’t.
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Our ball side #7/10 presses their outside CB on the ball while screening their #8/10.
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Our ball side #6/8 screening pass into the #9 + ready to cover for ball side #3/4 if/when he steps into midfield to pick up the pocket player)
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Our ball side #3/4 strong side of their ball side #9/7 but also ready to step into the pocket to defend their ball side #8/10.
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Our #9 starts in a position where he is screening the pass from the outside CB into the #6 but also in a position to jump and press the middle CB if there was a bad ball played to him.
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Our far side #8 between the opposition #6 and oppositions far side #8/10
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Our middle CB close to the oppositions ball side #9/7 (responsible for offside line)
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Our far side CB strong side of their fairies #9/7
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Our far side wing back (#2/11) shuffles across in between their far side #9/7 but ready to jump out to their #2/11 if the ball is switched.
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Our far side #7/10 narrows us up (but picks up a "free position" for our counterattack

Key What if's:
What if one of the oppositions Strikers (#9/7) drops into midfield to make a diamond? = Ball side #6/8 picks up (Middle CB does not step out)
What if the opposite #8/10 pull out into a false full back position and is too far for our outside CB to follow? = Since our ball side #7/11 is responsible for pressing the outside CB while screening the pass into the opposition #8/10, they will still look to do the same job (except now they will be pressing out to in so the only way they can find their false full back is with a bounce pass using their #6 or one of their STs, which should give out wing back enough time to jump and put pressure. However, our #9 should be screening a pass into their #6 and our ball side #6/8 should be screening the pass into their STs so they shouldn't have too much success finding the false fullback with a bounce pass.