Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Technical:Tactical - Defending - Individual & Unit Specific (Forwards)

Part I (15 mins)

Organization

- 40 x 40 area set up as shown inside half field

- 11 Players (5 Attackers, 5 Defenders & 1 Goalkeeper)

- 1 Full Size Goal

- 2 Mini Goals (see progression)

- 1 Ball (additional on outside)

Activity

- Play begins with the Attackers (Red) goalkeeper who can play out to any team mate

- Red team are set up as a Back Three, Holding Midfielder & Target Player (TP)

- Red team aims to build possession & play into their target player (TP) to score. Each Attacker (Red) can only operate in one Zone: CB inside area (cones) and RB/LB outside & wide of area

- Defenders (Yellows) are set up as a front three with two midfielders & aim to deny & disrupt opposition (Red) transfer of possession from one end to the other

- When Yellow team win the ball they become attackers, look to combine & score past goalkeeper (5v4)

- Only the wide forwards (LF/RF) can engage outside of area (cones), remaining players must stay inside area

- If ball is lost, goes out of play or a goal is scored play is restarted from the goalkeeper & players re set positions

Coaching Points

- Focus: Concentration on the ball & its movement

- Awareness: Aware of space & surroundings - team mates & opposition positions/actions

- Anticipation: Be alive, alert & ready to intercept/block passing lines

- Transition: React quickly when winning/losing possession. Combine & Attack quickly vs Adjust & Adapt.

- Finishing: Look to attack quickly on the counter - be positive & take advantage of overloads

Progression

P - Red (TP) is now free to drop into central area to help build possession. Red Team now aim to score into mini goals

Part III (25 mins)

Organization

- Full field set up as shown (Box to Box)

- Defensive, Middle & Attacking 1/3's marked on outside of field (Blue Cones)

- 2 Full Size Goals

- 18 Players (Red vs Yellow - 9 v 9 including goalkeepers)

- 1 Ball (additional around outside of field)

Activity

- Teams (Red vs Yellow) play 9v9 game with normal rules: offsides, throw ins & goal kicks etc

- With the focus on "Defending Team" being Yellows, both teams line up with distinctive playing system: Red 1-3-3-2 vs Yellow 1-2-3-3

- Attacking (Red) players must stay within their positional thirds of the field: defender must play in defensive 1/3, midfielders in middle 1/3 etc

- Defenders (Yellow) win an extra bonus point by winning possession in certain zones: 2pts in opposition def 1/3 & 1pt in middle 1/3. If Yellows score immediately after winning the ball in the same possession they win 3pts

- After set time gather Yellow players together, discuss current strategies & evaluate performance

Coaching Points

- Strategy: Which is the best defensive strategy to adopt: drop, block, contain? push & press?

- Execution: Look for cues to trigger pressue: out numbered, overloads, poor touch & body shape

- Timing: When, Where & How to win the ball?

- Connection: Stay connected as a unit & as a team. Ajust, balance & cover.

- Transition: Look to attack quickly on the counter. Take advantage of space in front, between & behind opposition

Progression

P - Unlock positions and players (Red) who can now move freely between thirds and field