Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): High block in 352

FAW Coach Ed

Michael Waters

Profile Summary

Name:	Michael Waters
City:	Port talbot
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

Interface Language

Share this Session

Link Session

Build 3D sessions in seconds

Access to 1000’s of sessions

Professionalise and modernise your coaching

Used by the world’s best coaches

US$

per year

Join today

Description

Session Design:

Organisation:

Format: 9v9
Reds: 1-1-5-2 structure (adapted from a 3-5-2 with no outside centre-backs).
Blues: 1-4-3-1 structure (adapted from a 4-3-3 without wingers).
Pitch Size: Appropriate to age and physical demands (recommendation: 60x50m, adjustable based on needs).
3 blocks of 5 minutes, with 2-minute rest intervals between blocks.

Practice:

Play begins from the Blue team's goalkeeper.
The Blues aim to build possession from the back and score in the two full-size goals defended by the Reds.
The Reds focus on high pressing to regain possession early and then counter-attack rapidly, aiming to create a shot on goal within 10 seconds of winning the ball.
An additional condition for the Blues:
- If they successfully play a pass through or around the positioned mannequins (representing defensive midfielders or fullbacks in an 11v11), and into a mini-goal, it replicates a pass into a winger's feet in a full-sided game.
- Once they have progressed beyond the mannequins ("flats"), they then attack the large goal as normal.

Session Focus Points:

Blues (in possession):
- Build-up play under pressure.
- Recognise when to pass into advanced areas (mini-goals) simulating passes into wingers.
- Support and rotation in midfield to create passing options.
- Decision-making when transitioning from build-up to final-third attack.
Reds (out of possession):

Coaching Points

In Possession (Blues):

Create passing angles and support behind and beside the ball.
Recognise pressing triggers and exploit space quickly.
Use quick combination play to bypass pressure.
Play forward with quality and precision when opportunity arises.
Timing of pass into mini-goal (simulate wide entry pass).

Out of Possession (Reds):

Organise high pressing shape quickly after losing the ball.
Identify pressing cues: poor control, slow circulation, back passes.
Force play into predictable areas (toward mannequins).
Immediate transition to attack: direct, forward-first mentality.
Support runners centrally to exploit the disorganised opposition.

Conditions / Challenges / Targets

Blues:
- 1 goal for scoring in full-size goals.
- 1 bonus goal for successful pass into mini-goal via mannequin barrier (simulate winger entry).
Reds:
- Score within 10 seconds of regaining possession to emphasise speed of transition.
General Condition:
- If the ball is played into a mini-goal, immediate attack towards the big goal is allowed without pressure from mannequins.

Interventions (Coaching Strategies)

Concurrent Coaching: Ongoing individual corrections while practice continues.
Guided Discovery: Pose questions to players to stimulate problem-solving (e.g., "When should we jump to press?").
Terminal Feedback: Provide quick points at rest intervals.
Walkthroughs: If necessary, freeze and position players to rehearse correct body shape, angles, distances.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Diagram 1

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

Diagram 1

Block 1: Pressing the Back Pass and Switch

Observed Problem:

Blues successfully play backwards to their goalkeeper to switch the play to the opposite side after the first line pass.

Out of Possession Principle (Red Team):

Compactness across the front three and midfield.
Immediate pressing on the inside shoulder of CBs to prevent easy back passes.
Midfielders tightly mark the opposition CMs to limit central options.
Wide players (wingers) engage full-backs early, preventing progressive play.

Coaching Solution:

Red strikers position on the inside shoulder of CBs to block passes and press when ball travels.
Midfielders apply tight marking on opposition central midfielders, blocking vertical passes.
Wide players (wingers) mark full-backs closely and stay ready to jump to press any wide switches.

Block 2: Full-Backs Driving Inside and Midfield Runs

Observed Problem:

Opposition full-backs drive into central areas, with CMs exploiting the channels on forward runs.

Out of Possession Principle (Red Team):

Deflect and direct play toward the touchline — show outside, not inside.
Maintain compactness between wide and central units.
Be prepared to track runners beyond the line of pressure.

Coaching Solution:

Wide players start higher and more narrow, positioning themselves inside to show the full-back down the line (outside).
Central midfielders stay goal-side of their direct opponent to prevent forward runs into the channels.
Immediate defensive communication to manage movement and cover across the midfield and defensive lines.

Block 3: Free Play — Counter-Attacking on Regain

Key Focus:

Fast, decisive counter-attack upon regaining possession.

In Possession Principles (After Regain):

First thought to play forward into attacking spaces.
Head up early to assess passing and dribbling options.
Drive centrally to commit defenders.
Overlapping runs to drag defenders and create space.
Strikers: Look to receive to feet or in behind depending on space available.
Far-side wing-back: On transition, join the attack aggressively by making forward runs.
Clear and constant communication across units to coordinate the counter-attack.

Summary of In and Out of Possession Principles