Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): BREAKING A 1-3-5-2 PRESS BY CREATING A BOX MIDFILED

Basic Rondo ( 10 Minutes) (10 mins)

Setup:

• Grid Size: 7m x 7m
• Format: 3v1 (3 attackers, 1 defender)
• Coach: Always has a ball at their feet, ready to restart play as soon as the ball goes out.
• Balls: Each group has 3 balls, kept close to the players for quick restarts.

Explanation:In this 3v1 drill, the attacking players aim to maintain possession and create passing angles to break down the defender. The defender works hard to win the ball back. Once the defender wins possession, the player who made the mistake (lost the ball) must go back into the defensive position.

Coaching Points:

• Attacking Players:
  • Move to create supporting angles as the ball moves. Ensure you’re always positioning yourself to offer passing options.
  • Use lateral and outside movement to progress the ball and create space.
  • Always aim to provide at least two passing options to the ball carrier.
  • Scan the field before receiving the ball, ensuring awareness of teammates and opposition positions.
  • Take your first touch away from danger and away from the defender to maintain control and improve your options.
• Defenders:
  • Consider your positioning relative to the ball carrier. When the ball carrier is under pressure, you must work hard to close down space and limit passing options.
  • When the ball carrier is under no pressure, position yourself to block potential passing lanes and force them into less advantageous areas.

Animation 4 (15 mins)

Screen 6

Positional Possession Game: Progressing Through the Thirds & Overcoming High Press

Tactical Focus:
Develop team ability to transition the ball through the thirds under pressure, using positional rotations — particularly the inversion of fullbacks — to create central overloads and beat a 2-5-3-1 pressing structure.

Professional Description:

“This positional possession game focuses on transitioning through the thirds with purpose and control. The key tactical emphasis is on inverting fullbacks into central midfield to create numerical superiority against a 2-5-3-1 high press. Upon inversion, wide attackers are encouraged to drop outside on a different line, creating 2v1 scenarios against the opposition’s wingbacks or pressing midfielders to facilitate forward progression.”

Tactical Principles:

• Inversion of Fullbacks:

  • Fullbacks move into interior midfield channels to provide central options and create overloads (e.g., 4v3 or 5v4 in midfield).

  • This helps disrupt the opposition’s press and occupy central markers.

  • Promotes fluidity and numerical superiority in build-up zones.

• Winger Rotation & Support:

  • Winger adjusts positioning by dropping deeper and wider when the fullback inverts.

  • This rotation creates a 2v1 on the outside, allowing the team to bypass pressing wingbacks or midfielders.

  • Ensures wide options are still available despite fullback inversion.

• Breaking the Press (vs 2-5-3-1):

  • The central overload forces the front three or five in the press to collapse inward, freeing space either:

    • Between the lines, or

    • In wide areas for progression.

  • Quick, purposeful movement and passing patterns are essential to exploit the moment of imbalance.

• Transitioning Through Thirds:

  • Ball must be circulated efficiently to shift the press and identify the optimal entry point into midfield.

  • Once progression is made into the middle third, maintain tempo and look to connect with advanced midfielders or the #9 between the lines.

Coaching Points:

• Fullbacks:

  • Time inversion based on the pressing shape and midfield positioning.

  • Receive side-on, scan for forward options, and support quick combinations.

  • Communicate clearly with the winger to trigger outside support.

• Wingers:

  • Recognize when to drop and offer width and passing lane outside the press.

  • Play with awareness – can you combine quickly, turn, or drive forward?

  • Stay level or just below the ball to support the inverted fullback.

• Midfielders (#6, #8, #10):

  • Rotate fluidly to maintain overloads and disrupt pressing triggers.

  • Use third-man combinations to progress centrally.

  • Body shape should always allow forward reception and quick transitions.

• Centre Backs & GK:

  • Be calm in possession; invite pressure intelligently to open up space.

  • Prioritize progressive passes into midfield overloads or switch play when central options are blocked.

Success Indicators:

• The team can beat the 2-5-3-1 press consistently using central or wide overloads.

• Fullbacks invert at the right moments, contributing to midfield dominance.