Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending from the front with 3 Strikers and 3 Midfielders (Start Time: 2016-12-02 14:30:00)

Function (15 mins) Trigger and pressure (15 mins)

Organisation:

Area - 40 x 50

Equipment: 10 Balls, 6 Bue Bibs, 6 Red Bibs, 1 Yellow Bib, 20 Red Cones, 4 Yellow Markers, 1 full size goal, 2 mini goals.

Players: 13 (6 v 7). 11 a side would be 4-3-3 v 4-4-2.

Objectives:

Blue Team: 0-3-3 (6) To press the opposing defenders as soon as the goalkeeper is about to release the ball to the defender, score within 6 seconds of winning possession.

The Red Team: 1-4-2 (7) will be instructed to build up play from the back, retain possession and score as many goals as possible.

Starting Point: Feeder will pass the ball to a Blue CM and will make a miss-hit long pass to the opposing goalkeeper to gather with hands. Central Striker begins centrall to cover the space between the opposing CB's

Scoring system: Blues must score in the large goals when possession is won, Reds have 2 mini goals on each flank at the half-way line.

Coaching Points: Awareness, Movement, Positioning, Pressure, Communication.

Who to press and when, where to be positioned, how each player affects the unit. What if the opposition stray from the normal procedure due to pressure.

Trigger: when keeper positions himself to play the ball out towards CB.

Eg. When the keeper receives the ball and the 2 CB's split If the Goalkeeper is going to play the ball to the LCB with the LB high and wide, the Striker (Number 9) should press the LCB and look to close down the player as he is receiving the ball, with the wide attacker RST (Number 7) positioning himself to cut out the LCB's pass to the wide LB. The blue RCM closest to the Red LB should position himself between the mini goal and the LB and look to press if the LCB is about to make the pass to him, thus providing support in behind. At this time the Blue CM ( acting as a number 10) should tuck in to position himself to block a pass to the Red LCM from the LCB or the LB. The scenario would be mirrored if the ball is played out to the RCB. The Blue LST should be positioned to intercept switched pass to other CB if the ST cannot close in time. With the Blue LCM positioned to cover both the Red RB and RCM if the switch of play is attempted by the Reds.

Instructions: The blues must use positioning, awareness, showing determination to win possession of the ball and to avoid conceding in the either 1 of mini goals positioned on each flank. These goals are imitating successful passes that could be the result for the reds if the blues do not prevent the reds from making the pass.

Key Coaching Points:

1. Awareness - "Where is the ball being played out to, who is receiving the ball".

2. Movement to close down opposition on or around the ball - "Be smart with movement, timing and positioning"

3. Angles and distances - "Reduce or cut off the options for oppositions passing by cutting out the angles or be positioned to intercept a pass or change the decisions made by the player in possesion".

4. Quality of pass - "Speed of pass, type of pass, eg. weighted, in front of player, into feet, 1-2, quick and sharp.

5. Decision-Making - "Communication, delayed pass etc."