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Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Specific OOP - Out of Possession principle of 'Defending the Overload'

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FAW Coach Ed

Andrew Pugh

Profile Summary

Andrew Pugh
Name: Andrew Pugh
City: Neath
Country: United Kingdom
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Description

The session is a specific drill focusing on the Out of Possession principle of 'Defending the Overload', which will allow the players to understand when and how to deal with the opposition's numerical advantages.

The key components of which are:

  • Recognise opposition movement
  • Press quickly
  • Protect the middle
  • Leave the furthest players

We will also be looking for the Game Model values of:

  • Show away from goal
  • Block central passes
  • Stop switches of play
  • Protect the space between lines
  • Control the space behind the last line.
To undertake good defending mechanics the players will need to:
  • Get in line - Look to block forward movement towards the middle (e.g. show outside)
  • Pressure on the ball - in a direction that maintains the blocking motion, and forces the player where you want them.
  • Deceleration - don't get too close to the player, or they'll beat you by knocking the ball around you.
  • Body Position - Low body position, strong legs ready to physically compete for the ball.
  • Stay on toes - Don't get caught 'sleeping'/flat footed - expect constant movement. Little steps to correct position.
  • Be patient - Don't lunge in after the ball, wait for the opposition to be in motion, to challenge for possession.
  • Decision - Analyse the options, make a decision and execute the decision to the best of your ability.
  • Recovery Runs - Once the ball is moved, recover into the optimum position for the defending unit.
Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Specific Practice (0-10mins)

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Specific Practice (0-10mins)
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Specific Practice (0-10mins) (10 mins)

Session Outline

  • The pitch is set out with the final third untouched, and the remaining are up to halfway tapered to the centre spot. Two small PUG targets are installed along the lines to represent passes through to wingers.

Conditions, Challenges & Targets

  • The blue team have an extra outfield player, and thus will naturally be able to find an overload in areas of the pitch.
  • The blue team need to find a way to score goals by exploiting the overload. The Setup consist of LW, RW, CF, SS/AM, LB, RB, CM
  • The red team need to work as a defensive back 4 unit with a twin screen in midfield to stop the blue team scoring.
  • If the blue team score, they restart with another ball from the centre spot.
  • If the red team win possession, they can score by playing a pass into the PUG goals (to imitate playing into the wingers). 
  • [Remaining 2 reds and 1 blue and blue GK to practice off field until SSG]

How? When? Where?

The red team will need to use the game model and force the blue team into areas of the pitch where the overload will not be critical - e.g. out wide, up the pitch. 

They need to:

Show away from goal, by protecting the middle and staying compact in the middle. - To nullify the overload and balance the numbers, they will need to leave the furthest player.

Initially, for the first 5 minutes, we will prevent the blue wing backs from playing higher than the wing forwards, and restricting them to 3 seconds on the ball (since they are unmarked) at the back of the pitch.

The reds will need to adjust their approach to defending relative to the position of the ball. I.e. as the ball sits with the CM, the defence stay narrow and compact in the middle. As the ball is played up field the pressing will need to be quick, and move as a unit across the pitch leaving the furthest players. If the ball is out with the BlueLB, then the RedRDM presses the ball, (forcing wide). The remaining RedLDM will need to screen any passes into the BlueAM/SS; and the RedRB closes off space to the BlueLW (but does not directly mark the player). The trigger for the RedRB to press, will be once the pass is made to the BlueLW. The RedRDM will then need to decide whether to stay with the BlueLB, or recover back to the screening position protecting the middle of the pitch.

The ultimate goal for the Red team is to protect the middle, force then wide, and if possible force them to play back & around

.

For the 2nd 5 minutes, we will then allow the blues to access any part of the pitch, and encourage the RB & LB to under/overlap to maximise use of the overlap out wide. If the blue team score from exploiting the wide areas, we will score them double points.

We will explore the importance of triggers for the press, and when to adopt a 'soft' press (singular) and when to adopt a 'hard' press with multiple defender simultaneously.

As with most defending, the recovery movement post passing/pressing will be key.

We will encourage the BlueCM to look to provide an option behind to spread the ball around, and look for the AM/SS to find forward runs, while the CF drops off.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Small Sided Game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Small Sided Game
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Small Sided Game (10 mins)

Session Outline

  • The inner cones and PUG goals are removed to create a final 2 thirds pitch with tapered corners upfield.
  • The Red team will now field a back 4, 2CMs & 2CFs (in a box midfield shape) in a 4-4-2 type formation.
  • The Blue team are playing with 2 strikers, 2 wing forward and midfield 3 and CB from a 3-5-2 formation.

Conditions, Challenges & Targets

  • The teams are now equal in numbers (but the tapering field has removed the red Wing Forwards, and the blue Wing Backs.
  • Both teams score in their respective goals, but with different formation set-ups.
  • If a goal is scored, they restart from the keeper or coaching staff playing the ball into the pitch.

How? When? Where?

Both teams will need to attack using overloads, and use the game model to defend by forcing the opposition team into areas of the pitch where the overload will not be critical - e.g. out wide, up the pitch.

They need to:

Show away from goal, by protecting the middle and staying compact in the middle. To nullify the overload and balance the numbers, they will need to leave the furthest player.

Opportunity to introduce walkthrough for movement off the ball - but toward general direction of the ball, to occupy opposition defenders into protecting the middle or handing player off to defenders behind.

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