Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): BP > BPO: Press ball carrier immediately and transition to BPO positions

Frame

Football Problem

Transition: Losing the ball when our team is building up from back to mid 3rd

When we lose possession in build-up phase we are often not reacting/transitioning quickly enough to prevent opponent playing quick ball forward.

Session Objective

The objective in this session is to improve the teams ability on loss of possession to immediately transition into defending positions and prevent opponent playing early ball forward

5 Ws

Where: First to Middle third

When: We had the ball in build up but turned it over

What: When we lose possession in build-up phase we were not reacting/transitioning quickly enough to prevent opponent playing quick ball forward.

Why: Often slow to press ball carrier allowing early pass forward by opponent, slow to take up BPO positioning.

Who: B4, M3

Positioning Game (20 mins)

Organisation:

- 16 players

- Bibs, 8 red and 8 blue

- 2 areas width of box each to halfway as pictured

- Markers to set area out

- Each area split in half with line ½ way between 18 yd and ½ way lines.

- 4*4min games, 1min rest between each.

Rules:

- 4 v 4 in 2 groups in 2 grids, 2 blue teams 2 red teams

- 4 Blue start in BP v 3 Red in 1 half of grid with spare Red in other half, as soon as Blue make a mistake (interception by the 3 reds or ball out of grid) the Red team try to move ball to the spare Red in other half of grid with now 4 Red in BP v 3 Blue in BPO.

- Can 4 Blue prevent this & win back the ball before it is played through to spare Red.

Progression:

- 2 touch for team in BP

- Keep passing tally

Team Task:

BP > BPO(both teams) immediate transition & pressure on ball carrier, win ball back or force mistake as soon as possible before they can pass to free player in other half then immediate BPO > BP in other half of grid.

Team in BPO:

Win ball back or force ball out & move to your zone and keep ball when you regain.

Player Tasks:

1. Closest defender should be in 1st defender position –show ball carrier to side away from support.

2. 2nd Defender shut down passing options and be ready to pinch a bad pass, poor touch.

Coach’s Cues:

1a. Can you press opponent immediately and either win the ball back or prevent a pass to other player?

1b. Can you position yourself to use the sidelines to your advantage (force or direct them there)?

2a. Can you adjust your position to be tight enough to the 1st defender to prevent a split pass in-between you or help win the ball?

2b. 2nd, 3rd defender can you prevent ball travelling into other half?

ALL BPO Players: Can you travel into other zone quicker than the BP players?

Game Training 2

BP>BPO Player Tasks M3 (assumed not closest to the ball):

1. 10 Can you drop in front of and between our 6 & 8 to form defensive block of 3 in midfield?

2. 6, 8 Can you position yourselves to cover the central mid area, on either side of our 10?

3. 6, 8 Can you prevent their midfield receiving ball or being able to play forward?

4. M3 Can you prevent /screen balls being played through to their front line of attackers?

Coaches Cues:

1. 10 When we lose the ball can you occupy a position to stop them shifting the ball to their 6 and switching play? Can you sit in-between our 6, 8 so they can adjust wider forming a high middle block?

2. 6, 8 When we lose the ball can you ensure one is on the left shoulder and the other on the right shoulder of our 10? If the 10 is pulled wider can you adjust so that we have good width across the park between the 3 of you still?

3. 6, 8 When we lose the ball can you occupy positions to be on the touch of their 8, 10 or intercept a pass to them?

4. M3 can you ensure your distances between your high block and the B4 low block are close enough to be able to intercept passes beyond your line?

BP>BPO Player Tasks B4:

1. 1 Can you be in an open stance ready to cut a killer pass out?

2. B4 If we lose the ball can you get compact, so you limit space and can cover each other?

3. B4 Can you get close to the midfield line as a unit to limit space in between your lines and keep a high defensive line?

4. 3, 4 Can one of you be ready to drop off & cover if you see a penetrating ball or ball over defense is to be played and the other track the run of a player trying to break the line (if applicable)?

5. 2, 5 If we turn the ball over centrally can you drop inside their 7, 11 to cut out any killer balls played between yourself and the 3, 4?

6. 2, 5 Can you apply pressure to the 7, 11 before they can face forward or on their touch?

Coach’s Cues:

1. 1 If one of their M3 players is on the ball facing forward can you position yourself to prepare for an intercept from a killer/ lofted pass?

2a. B4 As the 1st defender engages ball carrier can you (2nd defender) position yourself close enough to take over if 1st defender is beaten?

2b. B4 As the ball moves can we all adjust our defensive positioning together with a new 1st defender pressing the ball immediately

2c. B4 As we set/reset the defense can players behind coach and direct those in front of them, particularly the Goal keeper?

3. B4 As the M3 engage the ball carrier can you slide or step as to ensure we keep the space between lines to a minimum not allowing an opposition player an opportunity to receive facing forward in the pocket?

4a. 3, 4 As the ball is played into the 9, 10 can we be tight enough to stop them facing forward but not to close as to be easily turned?

4b. 3, 4 When 1 of you goes to the player/ ball can the over come over to provide cover/ depth?

5. 2, 5 Can you tuck in beside our 3, 4 with the distance close enough to intercept a killer pass in-between or to be able to turn/ chase/ win?

6a. 2,5 If the player is facing you can you force them inside/ where we have numbers, if the player turns back can you use the sideline to force them out/ or play back?

6b. 2, 5 Can the ball side player apply immediate pressure to ball receiver and the opposite side player tuck in?