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Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Match Prep - Breaking Compact Press via Centre-Back Progression

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FAW Coach Ed

Matthew Evans

Profile Summary

Matthew Evans
Name: Matthew Evans
City: Windsor
Country: United Kingdom
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Description

UEFA A Coaching Session Plan: Breaking Compact Press via Centre-Back Progression

Session Theme:

"Progressing Play Against a Narrow Press Through Centre-Back Engagement and Positional Play"

Session Format:

  • 3 x 6-minute blocks

  • 2-minute tactical interventions between blocks

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

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

Block 1:

The opposition’s No.9 is not engaging in the press effectively, remaining passive and central. The rest of the team stays compact and narrow, with the winger blocking the pass to the full-back.


Tactical Solution:

  • Centre-Back (CB) steps in with the ball to draw the No.9 toward them.

  • Ball is then switched to the opposite CB, who also steps in to draw a midfielder out.

  • This disorganises the central block and creates options:

    • Direct pass to the full-back on the outside.

    • Or a pass through the inside channel, combining with a midfielder to release the full-back.

What if...

The No.9 stands in the passing lane between CBs to deny the switch?


  • Play into the midfielder positioned behind the striker, who can receive and play around the corner first time into the advancing full-back.

Tactical and Technical Coaching Focus:

???? Build-up Shape & Movement:

  • Centre-Backs: Split as wide as possible to increase horizontal space and passing lanes. Step in with confidence and purpose.

  • Full-Backs: High and wide to stretch the opposition front line and pin the winger.

  • Wingers: Tuck inside to occupy opposition full-backs and the pivot, creating inside overloads.

  • CDM: Offer an option behind the first pressing line and support the switch or third-man play.

  • No.9: Stays central and high to pin both centre-backs and occupy their positioning.

Key Principles in Possession:

  • Ball Speed: Sharp, driven passes to shift the block and provoke pressure.

  • Bravery to Step In: CBs must drive forward with conviction to engage opponents.

  • Positional Superiority: Ensure central midfielders are positioned to receive between lines and link play.

Final Third Execution – After Beating the Press:

  • Ball is released wide to the full-back or winger.

  • Opposite winger and No.9 must attack the box.

  • Attacking midfielder (10) makes a delayed run into the penalty area.

  • Two central midfielders attack the edge of the box for second-phase or cut-backs.

  • Opposite full-back tucks in to secure rest defence and be ready in case of transition.

  • CBs maintain a 2v1 cover – one ball side, one deeper as a sweeper.

Coach Interventions:

  • “CB – step in with conviction. Can you commit the 9 and break the line?”

  • “Midfield – support the CB. Where’s your next pass before you receive?”

  • “Wingers – narrow inside to pin their full-backs. Free the outside for the switch.”

  • “Once the press is beaten — can we flood the box with five?”

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

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

Tactical Problem:

The opposition’s wingers are playing narrow, effectively blocking central passing lanes and preventing progression into the pivot or No.10.


Primary Tactical Solution:

  • Full-Back (FB) must position higher than the pressing winger during build-up to create a vertical advantage and stretch the narrow shape.

  • This advanced positioning removes the winger from the pressing equation and forces the opposition full-back to engage.

  • The Red winger initiates an in-to-out movement, creating a passing option wide and dragging defenders laterally.

Alternative Scenario – What if...

The opposition CDM tracks the Red winger's movement out wide?


  • This leaves the No.10 free centrally — the ball can now be played into the 10 between lines, exploiting the space vacated by the tracking midfielder.

Tactical Coaching Focus:

???? Positional Detail:

  • Full-backs must operate higher than the opposition winger before the pass is played, creating disconnection in the opposition’s block.

  • Ensure the timing of the winger's in-to-out movement disrupts the defensive line and triggers the full-back's engagement.

  • Encourage the No.10 to scan constantly and position between defenders to receive on the half-turn once the CDM is pulled wide.

???? Ball Movement Principles:

  • Play with speed and intent once the opposition is drawn out of shape.

  • Passes into the FB or 10 must be precise and well-weighted — avoid inviting pressure.

Positional Roles:

  • FB (Wide Receiver):

    • Stay on the shoulder of the winger and receive facing forward.

    • Recognise when the full-back commits and play quickly inside or down the line.

  • Winger (Red):

    • Start narrow to occupy space and CDM attention.

    • Time out-to-in or in-to-out movement to create either an overload or release space for the 10.

  • No.10:

    • Exploit vacated zones left by a tracking CDM.

    • Be available between lines and position with open body shape to play forward.

  • CDM (Red):

    • Must stay central unless overloaded, maintaining protection and offering short support when needed.

Coach Interventions:

  • “FB — stay high and early to stretch their winger.”

  • “Winger — your movement off the ball creates the next pass, not just the space.”

  • “10 — recognise when the CDM tracks wide. That’s your moment to show.”

  • “Centre-backs — wait for the trigger. Don’t play until we’ve moved them.”

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand how to use full-back height to disrupt narrow winger presses.

  • Time wide rotations to trigger space centrally.

  • Recognise and exploit vacated space intelligently (opposite movements).

  • Play forward with quality and confidence once the press is broken.

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

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

 Block 3:

"The blue team are encouraged to make decisions based on the cues presented by the previous blocks, using their understanding of principles to identify and exploit space as it emerges."


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