Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Win the ball back ASAP - Preventing Forward Play

Passing Practice (10 mins)

Organisation:

6v6 in a 35m x 30m space. White team starts with a ball each with each player on the black team marking one player on the white. The black team's objective is to prevent the white player they are marking from dribbling the ball over the end line. If the BP player dribbles over the end line they get a point and attempt to dribble over the opposite end line. If the BPO player wins the ball, they receive a point become the BP player with the other player becoming BPO. Two teams play together in possession to create and 8v4 inside the space against another team who is the ball recovery team. The possession teams attempt to maintain possession of the ball for as long as possible (duration) whilst the recovery team attempts to win the ball as soon as possible. If the recovery team wins the ball they join the team who did not lose the ball.  

Player Tasks:

- Pressure the ball carrier and immediate support

- Close down the space between you and the attacker as quickly as possible

- Defenders to confront attack with their knees bent to establish a low centre of gravity to adapt to changes of speed and direction quickly

- Players should be side once they have closed down the space between them and the attacker, with the front foot facing the ball and using the back foot to pivot on and change direction.

- Show them either a side-line or back into another defender and attempt to win the ball

- When you are providing cover, stand deeper than the player apply pressure to cover the passing channels forward AND to cover a 1-2 combo.

- When providing cover, stand narrower enough that you can step across and intercept a through ball but wide enough that you are covering as much space as possible

- When being the balance player you can see the whole picture so communicate to everyone what is happening whilst standing on an angle to provide balance.

Game Training (25 mins)

6v6+2 GK in a 35m x 45m which is divided into thirds with the dividing lines representing offside line. Play starts with the goal keeper with the possession team attempting to progress the ball through the thirds to score a goal. The BPO team attempt to win the ball is as quickly as possible to score a goal. BPO restricted to defending in front two thirds only. If BP team get into their attacking third then they have two touches to finish with BPO players unable to make recovery run to defend.

- BPO able to defend in any third

- Set time limit for BP team to score double points

- BPO team get 3 points for a goal if one in their attacking third, 2 points if the ball won in the middle third and 1 point if the ball won in defensive third.

Team Tasks:

Win the ball as quickly as possible to score in the goal. 

Player Tasks:

Goalkeeper (1):

- Stay connected to the back four by playing high in your own line of defence (don't allow too much space in between your line and defensive line

- Play as a sweeper keeper, cutting out any long through balls in behind the backline (penalty spot when ball is on half way and stand in the direct path of the ball wherever it is on the pitch laterally)

- Communicate with specific instructions for defenders as you can see the whole picture (e.g. everyone slide right, #6 press the ball carrier, #7 tuck in and provide cover)

- Protect the centre of the pitch by cutting passing lanes to ST from direct pass when the ball is central

- Be positioned close enough to your player to intercept forward pass/win the ball in 50/50 or force their first touch backwards

- Maintain BPO shape until pressing trigger identified (ball in widest corridor, slow pass, backward pass, receiving ball facing backwards) and react immediately

- Maintain BPO shape until pressing trigger identified (ball in widest corridor, slow pass, backward pass, receiving ball facing backwards) and react immediately 

- Protect the centre of the pitch by operating in the wide central corridor when the ball is central, closing passing lanes forward to central midfielders

- Press the wide player when the ball is in motion into the wide corridor whilst blocking the passing lane forward

- Tuck in and cut out the passing lane to the far side central midfielder to prevent switch of play

- Maintain BPO shape until pressing trigger identified (ball in widest corridor, slow pass, backward pass, receiving ball facing backwards) and react immediately   

- Protect the centre of the pitch by operating in the 3 central corridors when the ball is central, closing passing lanes forward to central midfielders

- ST closest to the ball when the ball is played to wide corridor presses ball carrier whilst cutting passing lanes inboard to create 2v1 out wide

- ST furthest from the ball squeezes CDM whilst remaining close enough to intercept or put pressure on back pass to GK

Coaching Cues:

- Protect the central areas by remaining compact in width and depth when BP shifting the ball laterally (team always between ball and goal)

- Maintain BPO positions high up the pitch and wait for trigger to press when to press (forced to a side-line, back to goal, slow pass, backwards pass)

- When the BP team has been forced to a side line, press and lock them into that side by overloading that side and forcing them into a mistake

- When the BP team receive back to goal, slow pass played or pass backwards that is the trigger to collectively press and win the ball or force a mistake