Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Specific Practice into SSG / Defending breaking the lines in a 4-3-3 (25min)

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Simone Grippo

Profile Summary

Simone Grippo
Name: Simone Grippo
City: Basel
Country: Switzerland
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Description

Organisation Specific Practice

  • Half pitch.
  • The large goal is in its normal position.
  • Place three mini-goals as shown on the halfway line

Specific Practice (9min total)

  • Walkthrough= 1min
  • Block 1 high pressing= 3min
  • Rest with terminal feedback= 2min
  • Block 2 low/mid block= 3min
Organisation SSG and transition into SSG (2min total)
  • Remove three mini-goals
  • Place a regular goal in the middle of the midfieldline
  • Shorten the FB (red) and Winger (blue) area on the midfield side as shown in picture two as you wont need to coach this zones.
  • Add two CB for red and one CF for blue
SSG (13min total)
  • Block 1 high pressing by red= 3min
  • Rest with terminal feedback= 2min
  • Block2 low/mid pressing by red= 3min
  • Rest with terminal feedback= 2min
  • Block 3 free pressing/players decicions= 3min
Terminal reflection with players (1min total)

 

 

 

 


Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Specific Practice / 8v6 (6 reds out of possession)

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Specific Practice / 8v6 (6 reds out of possession)
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Specific Practice / 8v6 (6 reds out of possession)

The Welsh Way Principles of play / Defend breaking the lines: 

  • Fast pressure on the ball
  • Protect the middle
  • Stay Narrow and compact
  • Stop split passes
  • Protect the space behinde
How it works: 
  • It’s a 6v8 game with the blue team playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation (8 players: only goalkeeper, back four, two holding midfielders, and one No. 10) against the red team, which is coached and set up in a 4-3-3 formation (6 players: three midfielders and a front three).
  • The red team is focused on defending and applying various pressing strategies against the blue team, which aims to play out from the back, break through the red team’s lines, and score in one of three mini-goals.
  • The red team’s entire back four is removed from play, as are the center forward and two wingers from the blue team.
  • Play always starts with either the goalkeeper or center-back of the blue team, who initiates the play from the back.
  • If the red team regains possession, they are allowed to score on the regular goal without any time constraint, allowing them to apply all “in-possession” principles.

Coaching content (Red coached team): 

  • The team should understand the different types of pressure (high, mid/low)  they can apply to prevent the opposition from playing through, around, or over them.
  • Coach players to stay narrow and compact, forcing mistakes and intercepting central passes. Aware of the space behind.
  • Highlight the triggers for pressing, especially in the second block when working from a deeper position. Examples include a poor pass, a bad first touch, or intentionally allowing the ball to be played to the full-back or letting a center-back carry the ball forward.

     

Coaching interventions: 

  • Walk through (quick because quiet simple)
  • Concurrent
  • Terminal
  • Coaching process
Challenges, Conditions, Targets:
  • Blcok 1: Challenge=  As we press high up the pitch, the opponent creates a central overload using their two center-backs and goalkeeper, taking advantage of our single center forward. Solution= We push one of our number eights forward into the striker position, while our holding midfielder shifts to form a double pivot in midfield. This allows us to press in a 4-4-2 shape in a high press. Once we guide the opponent to one side, we press them there to force an error or regain possession quickly. Our winger marks their full-back, while our strikers press the center-backs and GK to prevent a switch of play by playing back to them. The ball side central midfielder covers their nearest number six, with our other CM tucking in to shield their number ten. On the opposite side, our far-side winger moves centrally to press their second holding midfielder.
  • Block 2: Challenge= In a low block, the challenge is to maintain defensive intensity without the high press. We still work hard, but from a deeper starting position. Players may lose confidence due to extended periods without possession, as the opponent will likely switch play multiple times and appear comfortable on the ball. Solution= Emphasize that it’s acceptable to allow the opponent possession, as long as we defend effectively within our designated zone. Strong communication is essential—staying very narrow with the two wingers closing more inside first. If the opponent enters our zone and we decide to press, the entire block should move together out of the mid/low block to maintain pressure and disrupt their play.
  • Conditions: Play always starts from the back with a Goal kick.
  • Target: Reds (coached)=  Defend the mini-goals and score regular goal. Blues= score mini-goals by playing from the back starting with a goal kick.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): SSG

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): SSG
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SSG

Formations: 

  • 9 reds (originally playing in a 4-3-3), 1 GK, 2 CB, 1 Holding midfielder, 2 no. 8, 2 wingers and one Center forward. 
  • 9 blues (originally playing in a 4-2-3-1), 1 GK, back 4, 2 defensive midfielders, 1 no. 10 and one center forward.
  • Working back from 11v11, no fullbacks for red and no wingers for blue

Coaching content (Red coached team):  

  • During block 1, concurrent coaching reinforce and implement the concepts practiced above for effective high pressing and not letting them break through our lines
  • During block 2, same concurrent coaching as mentioned above for mid/low pressing
  • During rest 2, provide terminal coaching and review the different pressing triggers with the team. Emphasize that they now have the responsibility to decide which type of pressing to apply in each situation. Encourage strong communication among players to ensure cohesion and effectiveness.

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