Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending with a High Press (Start Time: 2019-01-09 18:30:00)

MDG (20 mins)

ORGANISATION:

- Area is depth 18 yd box x 2. Pitch width is taken 5 yards from touchline.

- goals at either end

- 4 blues + GK v 5/6 Reds (CF, CF, CM, CM, LM, RM) v 4 yellows + GK

- Halfway line, which Yellows & Blues cannot cross

- Red midfielders can join attack if CF's win the ball back

- GK rolls the ball out to one of his defenders to start the practice.

OBJECTIVE:

Team from either end must look to play through/around the central team, working together to keep possession.

2 players (initially 2 CFs) from the central team must press the team in possession.  Other players in the central team look to cut out passing lines.

If the ball is transitioned to the opposite end then 2 other central team players will look to press the ball in the new end. 

If the central team wins possession they must shoot and score.  A goal will mean that they swap places with the team that have conceded.

The team executing the high press should look to either force a mistake in the middle or force the play wide where we have wide players that should be able to intercept the pass

PROGRESSIONS:

- Team in possession must get three passes in their own half before trying to play the ball to the opposite end

- Central team must score within 8 seconds of winning the ball

- Additional central team players can join the attack when possession is won.

KEY POINTS:

- Pressure

- Angles and distances of support - nearest player presses, others support at an angle

- Tempo / intensity

- Communication

Freeplay (20 mins)

ORGANISATION:

- Remove tappered corners

- Freeplay - normal game

- Coach what you see

KEY POINTS:

- Pressure on the ball

- Angles and distances of support - nearest player presses, others support at an angle

- Stay compact / Don't get split

- Tempo / intensity

- Communication

- Track runners into midfield

- Decision making

- Counter attack with speed