Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Front three pressing in a 1-4-3-3 - U15s (Start Time: 2018-10-13 09:30:00)

Arrival activity (15 mins)

Organisation: 1v1 pressing exercise; Defender starts with the ball and passes the ball to the attacker who dribbles. When the attacker touches the ball, the defender presses and jockeys, keeping "broken-arm's" distance from the attacker. Initially this is a passive exercise.

Have several cones to give defender a starting point, attackers start on the end zone line. Every 2 attempts the players alternate so all have plenty of repetition.

Progressions: 

- Allow tackling, the attacker attempts to get to the opposite end zone, the defender attempts to win the ball and do the same. 

Coaching points: Press; 4S's:

- Shut down; sprint towards attacker, consider curved run to begin showing away

- Slow down; broken arm's distance

- Sit down; feet in opposition, knees bent, arms by sides, elbows bent

-  Show down; Angle of approach during sprint, and body facing desired space to show attacker (e.g. to touchline nearest).

Main session (30 mins)

Organisation: the front three with 2 midfielders of a 1-4-3-3 (out of possession) pressing the back four of a 1-4-4-2 (in possession) with midfielders. 

Aim is to win the ball in the attacking third and try to score a goal. 

Use flat markers to have starting positions, which encourage the centre back to receive the ball.

The goalkeeper passes or throws to one of the back four, initially the team out of possession (red) can not tackle (unbeknownst to the team in possession, white team) as they look to work on 4S's body shape, force an error and  intercept (5 - 10 minutes). After some success, allow tackling (full pressure) (10-15 minutes). 

Ensure there are plenty of footballs by the goals to ensure repetition, alternate goalkeepers so they get to experience in both scenarios. Rotate players between both sides to give players experience in different positions. 

Primary Player: Striker (9) 

Primary Unit: 9 and wingers (7,11)

Secondary unit: Midfield (8,10, goalkeeper acting as a defensive midfielder also).

Progressions:

- Goalkeeper can play to midfield also. 

- Allow continuous play e.g. with throw ins, no corners, if the whites have a chance go wide or over, play resets. 

Scenario: The game is 2-0 to the white team , can the red team 

Opposition management: Look to break the press and score in the opposite goal. 

Coaching points: 

Press: - Player nearest the ball, 4S's

Cover & Balance:the primary unit react to the ball being played to one of the back four and cover 2 nearest players to the ball (2 centre backs and nearest full back).

- 8 & 10 support the front three by either marking opposition midfield or blocking passing lanes

Delay: If the press is broken can the reds recover, nearest player presses and delays attack, looks to deny central space and funnel to touchline. Rest of the team covers and balance. 

Triggers: 

- pass to centre backs for example 9 presses the right centre back with a curved run towards the centre backs left to force him to play right and block passing lanes to left side or midfield. 

11 covers right back on their right side, 7 covers left centre back and also passing lane to left back & vice versa.

- pass to full back e.g. right back, 11 presses, curved run to right backs right, 9 blocks passing lane to right centre back, 7 blocks lane to left centre back and lane to left back.

8 & 10 supporting press just behind opposing midfielders to anticiapte interception and dictate where the ball goes e.g. switch, long pass to keeper (both scenarios), shuffle across if the ball is on the left or right, mindful of midfielders.

- to win the ball/ intercept if weak pass, back turned to attackers, poor touch lateral or straight pass . (backward or forward), steal (poke tackle) or intercept. 

Coaching position: On the sideline but a particular focus on the front 3, then to secondary unit. 

SSG (30 mins)

Allow both teams to play a small sided game with similar formations.

 Allow free play for 5-10 minutes. 

Condition: for 5-10 minutes.

If the team out of possession, wins the ball in the final third and scores, it is worth 2 goals! 

Last 5 minutes: Scenario is extra time, scores are level, can someone get a winner?

Use the lines as offside lines for game realism. 6v6 or do 7v6 if there's an extra player, 7v6+1, 7v7 or 6v6+1. If more players, adapt in a similar fashion.