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Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Match Preperation- Press Phase- Block Channels

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NIST International School

James Gardner

Profile Summary

James Gardner
Name: James Gardner
City: Bangkok
Country: Thailand
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Description

Match Day -1 (Shape Focus)

  • Time: 25 Minutes
  • Area: Full Pitch
  • Players: 22

Focus:

  • The main aim is to stop the opposition from switching play and to win the ball as high up the pitch as possible. The session will address two key problems, helping players understand their roles both on and off the ball, especially in applying pressure.

Coaching Points:

  • Triggers to press:
    • Back passes, poor touches, too many touches, or when the ball is played into central areas.
  • Pressing cues:
    • Show players inwards when they’re in their half, wide when they’re in our half.
    • Get tight and force contact with the player.
    • You don’t have to make the tackle—the pressure is key.
    • Be aggressive in the press.
    • Move as a team—not just one player pressing.
    • Maintain a solid stance when in a 1v1 situation.
    • Communication is critical—always alert to what’s happening around you.

Player Roles:

  • Centre Backs:

    • Stay high and tight to the striker to prevent the ball being played in over the top.
    • If the striker drops in, join the switch and follow them, closing down the back.

  • Full Backs:

    • Stay with the wingers. If they drop down the line to show for the ball, get contact and force them inwards if the play is still in their half.

  • Midfielders:

    • Stay man-for-man with the Blue midfielders when they are playing from the back.
    • When the ball comes centrally, pressure them quickly to win the ball back or force the ball back to the defenders, where the forwards can apply pressure.

  • Wingers:

    • Start wide and force the ball inwards, directing the play toward the Blues’ goal.
    • If the ball is played wide to the Blue full-back, make sure to press and force the pass inside to central areas. Get tight to prevent the long ball that could release pressure.

  • Striker:

    • Focus on pressing the Blue centre-backs, forcing them inwards.
    • When the ball comes to the midfield, try to block the line back to their midfielders and pressure the ball.

Session Blocks:

  • Frame the session: 2 minutes

    • Set the context and outline the problems the Reds will face.

  • Block 1: 6 minutes

    • Focus on Problem 1: Pressing the centre-backs and stopping the switch of play. Players will focus on their triggers and applying pressure at the right moments.

  • Rest (Terminal): 2 minutes

    • Provide feedback and adjustments based on observations.

  • Block 2: 6 minutes

    • Focus on Problem 2: Pressing the wide players and forcing the ball inwards. Emphasis on applying pressure and maintaining shape.

  • Rest (Terminal): 2 minutes

    • Quick feedback and discussion, ensuring players understand the changes.

  • Block 3: 7 minutes

    • The final block with higher intensity, reinforcing the principles of pressing high and preventing the switch of play. More dynamic, as players now apply what they've learned in a continuous flow.

Coaching Approach:

  • Interventions:
    • Walkthrough/Demonstrate: Early intervention to show key pressing and defensive shape techniques.
    • Terminal Coaching: Provide specific feedback at the end of each block.
    • Concurrent Coaching: On-the-fly coaching during the blocks to guide players in real-time.
    • Coaching Process:
Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Block Channels - Framing

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Block Channels - Framing
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Block Channels - Framing

Session Setup:

  • Teams:

    • Reds (Coached by me) will play in a 4-2-1-3 formation.
    • Blues (Managed by the Assistant) will play in a 4-2-1-3 formation.

  • Structure:

    • The session will be split into two 6-minute blocks, a final 7-minute block, with 2x 2-minute rest periods in between.
    • A 2-minute framing at the start to outline objectives.

  • Objective:

    • The main aim is to block passing channels when the opposition tries to switch play.

  • Ball Start:

    • Ball starts either in the Blue end or wide of their third in each block.
    • In the last block, the ball can start from either end.

Problem 1:

  • The Blues play from the center-back to a midfielder who shows for the ball and then passes wide, completing a switch as they come out of defense. This pattern repeats as they advance.

Solution:

  • The Red striker applies pressure on the center-back to force a forward pass.
  • The Red midfielder presses the Blue midfielder showing for the ball, forcing them to pass back to the center-back.
  • The Red winger closes down the passing lane from the Blue midfielder to the full-back, cutting off the switch opportunity.

Problem 2:

  • The Blues start with their full-back, and their midfield shifts over. One midfielder drops behind the line to receive, and the ball is switched to the opposite side winger.

Solution:

  • The Red winger presses the Blue full-back, getting close to deny easy passing.
  • Red midfielders lock onto their Blue counterparts in the middle, ensuring pressure every time the ball is touched.
  • The opposite Red full-back anticipates the winger’s run and is well-positioned to intercept the pass or create a 50/50 challenge with the Blue winger.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Block Channels - Block 1

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Block Channels - Block 1
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Block Channels - Block 1

Time: 6 Minutes

Problem 1:

  • Description:

    • The Blues play the ball from their center-back to a midfielder who shows for the ball. The midfielder then passes wide to initiate a switch, which repeats as they progress out from the back.

  • Solution:

    • The Red striker presses the center-back, forcing them to play a pass into the midfield.
    • The Red midfielder pressures the Blue midfielder receiving the ball, forcing them to pass it back to the center-back.
    • The Red winger cuts off the passing lane from the Blue midfielder to the full-back.

What If:

  • Scenario:

    • The Blue center-backs split wider and bring the goalkeeper into the play as part of the switch.

  • Solution:

    • The Red attacking three (striker and two wingers) come closer together, moving as a compact unit when pressing. The No. 10 (central attacking midfielder) must also join the press, getting in line with the forwards.
    • One of the Red center-backs needs to step forward and press the Blue No. 10 to prevent them from receiving a pass that skips a line.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Block Channels - Block 2

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Block Channels - Block 2
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Block Channels - Block 2

Time: 6 Minutes

Problem 2:

  • Description:

    • The Blues start with the ball at their full-back. The midfielders shuffle across, and one drops behind the line to receive the ball. They then switch the ball to the opposite winger.

  • Solution:

    • The Red winger gets close to the Blue full-back to prevent an easy pass.
    • The Red midfielders lock on to their Blue counterparts in the middle, ensuring pressure and contact every time they touch the ball.
    • The opposite Red full-back recognizes the run of the Blue winger and positions themselves well to either intercept or challenge for a 50/50 ball with the Blue winger.

What If:

  • Scenario:

    • The Blues play the ball back to the center-back to move the Red team away and create space in behind.

  • Solution:

    • The nearest Red player to the center-back applies pressure, forcing them to play forward.
    • The Red team regains shape quickly, staying alert and ready for any pass played in behind the defensive line.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Block Channels - Block 3

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Block Channels - Block 3
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Block Channels - Block 3

Time: 7 Minutes

Objective:

  • This block focuses on increasing ball rolling time and applying the solutions from the previous two problems in real game scenarios.
  • Interventions will now be concurrent, with coaching focusing on helping players adjust in real time.

Focus:

  • Problem 1 (Pressing the center-back, cutting off the switch): Ensure that the pressing from the striker, midfielder, and winger is seamless and reactive to how the Blues play out from the back.
  • Problem 2 (Defending the full-back switch): Maintain compactness and pressure in the midfield while recognizing runs from the Blues’ wingers. Full-backs must stay alert to intercept or challenge the ball.


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