Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Possession, press and transition

Conditioning (15 mins)

Organization:

3 or 4 players per channel all lined up at one end as shown above.

Instructions:

Sprint to the opposite line and then run backwards back to the line.

Coaching Points:

Stay at full speed

Body balance, leaning forward to accelerate forward, leaning back to accelerate backwards.

Knees up

Back straight

Progressions/Regressions:

Posses, press and transition (20 mins)

Organization:

Field size is dependent on qulaity of players.

Field split into 2 halves. One half for the reds and other for the blue.

2 neutrals, one on each end of the field.

Instructions:

When reds have possession, the blues are to press the ball and play forward into the neutral behind the reds. If they can not play forward then there is the option of turning back and playing into their half where they can look to possess while the reds then press. When reds win the ball, the same option apply.

Coaching Points:

Press as a unit. Lead the pass you want by blocking off passing lanes and then close the space.

Can the neutral find a passing lane quickly once the ball is won by pressing team

Can pressing team, once ball is won find the nuetral before the opposition have a chance to transition from attack to defence.

Progressions/Regressions:

2 players press rather than 3

4 players press rather than 3

Possessing team can also look to play pass to opposite neutral to get a point.