Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Sayeedur Rahman MCAA - 568-OL1-Session Overview: Pressing Tactics for U19 Male Team
Description
90-minute soccer training session focused on pressing for a U19 team
Soccer training session focused on pressing, which involves a warm-up, I will provide detailed coaching points and a progression plan. This part of the session is crucial for preparing the players both physically and mentally for the intense activity to follow. The assistant coach should lead all the section with these guidelines in mind.
Part 1: Warm-Up (15 minutes)
Objective
- Prepare players physically and mentally for the session.
- Activate muscles and increase heart rate gradually.
- Introduce ball work early to get players comfortable with the ball.
Activities
Light Jogging and Dynamic Stretches (5 minutes)
- Description: Players jog around the pitch, incorporating dynamic stretches like lunges, knee hugs, and leg swings.
- Coaching Points:
- Ensure players gradually increase their pace.
- Emphasize full range of motion during stretches.
- Encourage players to focus on areas they feel need more attention.
Rondo Circles (5 minutes)
- Description: Set up small circles of about 8 yards in diameter with 5 players in each circle passing the ball around and 1-2 players in the middle trying to intercept.
- Coaching Points:
- Encourage quick, one-touch passing.
- Focus on movement off the ball and communication.
- Instruct intercepting players to apply gentle pressure.
Ball Control and Dribbling Drills (5 minutes)
- Description: Players dribble through a series of cones, perform turns, and execute quick changes in direction.
- Coaching Points:
- Encourage close ball control and use of both feet.
- Focus on agility and balance during turns.
- Increase the complexity by adding feints or skills.
Progression Plan
- Start with general jogging and dynamic stretches to warm up the muscles and joints.
- Transition into rondo circles to incorporate ball work and start introducing elements of pressing and possession.
- Move to ball control and dribbling drills to enhance players' touch and control, preparing them for more intense activities to come.
Assistant Coach's Role
- The assistant coach should actively monitor the players, ensuring that all exercises are done correctly and safely.
- They should provide constant feedback and encouragement, keeping the energy levels high.
- The assistant coach should also manage the time effectively to ensure a smooth transition between different warm-up activities.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
15 mins
Pressing Drills (15 minutes)
Objective: Teach the basics of pressing, including triggers and positioning.
Drill 1: Small-sided game (SSG) in a 20x20 yard area, focusing on high pressing.
Small-Sided Game (SSG) in a 20x20 Yard Area
- Setup: Divide players into teams of 4 or 5. Use a small field with mini-goals or cones as goals.
- Activity: Teams play a regular game but with an emphasis on high pressing. The moment possession is lost, the team must press aggressively to win the ball back within 5 seconds.
- Coaching Points: Focus on quick transitions, immediate pressure on the ball, and communication among players.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
15 mins
Zonal Defense Pressing :(15 Mins)
Coaching Points:
• Anticipate passes.
• Switching defending roles.
• Decision making (step to intercept/defend passively).
• Keep attacker’s head down.
• Keep the ball on offense.
• Make play predictable.
• Upon gaining possession, low forward to counter.
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10 mins
Positional Play : 10 Mins
Defense Position
Objective:
The main goal is to train the defensive unit to press effectively as a team, improving their ability to regain possession quickly and disrupt the opponent's attacking play.
Set-Up:
Equipment– 8 cones
Full soccer field for this exercise.
Position players in their usual match formation (for example, 4-3-3 or 4-4-2).
Assign roles for attackers and defenders.
Explanation–
The routine begins with attackers casually passing the ball among themselves in a designated area.
Defenders move collectively, closing down space and cutting off passing lanes.
Cones to mark zones and guide the defenders on where to press.
Red color cones placed in different areas of the pitch. Coach calls color A to H and the players move in the correct defensive formation at the same time. Ball used to indicate the call,Objectives– Defensive formation, alignment, positional understanding.
Coaching Points:
- Communication: Encourage constant communication among defenders to coordinate the press.
- Shape: Maintain the team's shape during the press, ensuring each player understands their role and area of responsibility.
- Triggers: Define specific triggers for when to press, such as a backward pass or a receiver's closed body position.
- Intensity: Press with intensity and purpose to force mistakes or turnovers.
- Compactness: Keep the team compact horizontally and vertically to minimize spaces for the attacking team.
- Transition: Prepare for quick transitions after regaining possession to secure the ball or launch a counter-attack.
Progression Steps:
- Passive to Active: Start with attackers passing the ball without resistance, then increase the pressure by having defenders actively press.
- Time Constraints: Introduce a time limit for how long the attackers can keep possession, encouraging quicker pressing and decision-making from defenders.
- Limited Touches: Reduce the number of touches for attackers to increase the pressing intensity required from defenders.
- Zone Restrictions: Mark zones on the field where defenders must press and win the ball,
- Counter-Attacking: Once possession is regained, attackers immediately transition to a scoring opportunity, emphasizing the importance of quick, forward-thinking play after the press.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
5 mins
High Press 5-8 Mins
Objective:
Press and win ball back from opposition defense or force error.
Application
- 5-1-3-1 defensive shape
- CF Press and cover on the opposition CBs whilst screen the ball to the CDM. Lock off one side
- Other CF tracks the CDM if they move laterally
- CM position higher and man to man press on fullback
- CDM cover spaces behind
- WB proactive to press higher if required
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
10 mins
Description: Mid to Attack Third Central (10 Mins )
When
- Ball in central areas with CB or CDM
What
- PositIon in half spaces to create space to attack centrally
How
- CM occupy half spaces
- One CF drop into the pocket of space
Why
- Create multiple passing opportunities
- If CB doesn't follow can connect centrally
- If Opponent CM presses then we have a space player to find
- If CB follows CF then trigger to play in behind for the forward run.
Coaching Points:
Positioning and Movement:
- Encourage midfielders to find space between the lines.
- Forward players should make movements to draw defenders out of position, creating space for midfielders to advance into.
- Players should be aware of their body orientation to receive the ball with a forward-facing stance.
Passing and Receiving:
- Encourage quick and precise passing, limiting touches when under pressure.
Breaking Lines:
- Players to recognize when to play a penetrating pass that breaks through the opposition's defensive lines.
Vision and Awareness:
- Players should constantly scan the field to be aware of space, the position of teammates, and the opposition's shape.
Defensive Transition:
- Stress the importance of immediate pressure after losing the ball in the attacking third to prevent counter-attacks.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Full Field Play Position 4-3-3
Objective:To improve tactical awareness, pressing triggers and transitions in an 11v11 match setting for a U19 male team.
Set-Up:
Entire soccer field for an 11v11 scrimmage.
Players should be in their standard match positions based on the team's preferred formation.
Begin with regular match play, allowing the game to flow naturally.
Execution:
The coach should closely observe and pause the play when specific scenarios occur, such as the loss of possession.
Coaching Points:
Awareness: Players must be constantly aware of their position, their teammates, and the opponents, anticipating the play.
Compactness: Ensure the team remains compact both vertically and horizontally, moving as a unit to press.
Intensity and Timing: The pressing should be done with intensity but also with proper timing, to avoid being pulled out of position.
Role Clarity: Each player should understand their role during the press, whether it’s to apply direct pressure, cover passing lanes, or support teammates.
Transition: Emphasize the need for quick transitions after regaining possession, moving from defense to attack efficiently.
Progression Steps:
Shadow Play: Begin without opposition, running through pressing movements and transitions as a drill.
Controlled Scrimmage: Introduce passive opposition to allow the pressing team to apply learned concepts without full resistance.
Full Opposition: Progress to full opposition, with the pressing team applying high-intensity pressure throughout the field.
Counter-Attack Emphasis: After successfully pressing and regaining possession, the team should quickly transition into a counter-attacking phase, aiming to score within a set number of passes or seconds.
Fatigue Management: As players tire, focus on maintaining pressing quality, using substitutions strategically to simulate real-match conditions.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
20 mins
Full-Field Tactical Play (20 minutes) (U-19 Team Youth Male)
Objective: Apply pressing tactics in a full-field setting.- Setup: Full field 11v11 game. Use the two goalkeepers in the full-size goals.
- Activity: Teams apply high pressing strategies in a match-like environment. Quick transitions from defense to attack.
- Coaching Points: Highlight the importance of team shape, collective effort in pressing, and quick transitions. Pay attention to players’ stamina and tactical discipline during pressing.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Cool Down Exercise (10 mins)
Cool Down (10 minutes)
- Light Jog and Stretching (5 minutes):
- Coaching Points: Stress the importance of a cool-down to prevent injury and aid in recovery. Encourage focused breathing to aid in relaxation.
- Review and Feedback (5 minutes):
- Coaching Points: Discuss what went well and areas for improvement. Provide positive reinforcement and set goals for the next session.
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15 mins
Warm-Up (15 minutes)
Objective: Light exercises and stretches to prepare players physically and mentally.
Activity: Jogging, dynamic stretching, and light ball work in pairs.
Light Jogging and Dynamic Stretches (5 minutes)
Description: Players jog around the pitch, incorporating dynamic stretches like lunges, knee hugs, and leg swings.
Coaching Points:Ensure players gradually increase their pace.
Emphasize full range of motion during stretches.
Encourage players to focus on areas they feel need more attention.