Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Transition to attack in midfield third

3v1-->5v3 (15 mins)

Intensity: high

Intervals:

90 seconds work + 15-30 seconds rest x 8 reps

Setup:

-25x25 grid

-10x10 grid in the middle

-Team of 5 versus a team of 3

- 2 grids of 8 players

Activity:

-Ball starts in inner grid: 3v1 --> 5 passes = 1 point

-If defender wins ball, they transfer to outer players --> 10 passes = 1 point

-If defending 3 win ball they must transfer it back into middle square.

-Once ball is out of middle, team of 5 not allowed to defend inside box (allow team of 3 to transfer into box). BUT, team of 5 can defend outside of box (still an element of transition).

Progression:

-Rotate positions

-Team of 5 limited to 3 touch.

Coaching Points:

- Once winning the ball, immediately play the simplest pass away from pressure

- Players off ball moving to create passing angles

- Awareness of movement around you, scan, scan, scan

-Decision making of the player gaining possession

Phase of Play (30 mins)

Intensity: high

Intervals: 5 min work + 30 seconds to 1 min rest x 4 reps = 24 min

Set up:

- Full width of field x length is approximately 20 yards into other half

- 8 v 7 plus GK

- attacking team set up as 2-5-1 (yellow), no GK

- defending team GK-4-3 (red)

- red team scoring in small goals.

- yellow team scoring in large goal.

Activity:

-Normal game rules apply.

-focusing on attacking aspects, but organize the players into a defensive shape.

Progressions:

-change players in specific positions.

Start Position:

-create an overload of players to transition in the middle third. Midfield player attempts to pass behind the opposing midfield player who intercepts the ball. All players should be reacting to a successful pass and moving into position accordingley.

Coaching Points:

- When winning the ball, play the simplest pass possible to break pressure

- #4/5 dropping off when winning possession to switch play through back

- #8/10 stretching the field long to either get behind or create room for other CM's

- #7/11 creating width and #9 depth

- Decision making of the player gaining possession

- Recognition of possibilities to counter attack

- Momentum in attack.