Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Playing Out From Back Against Mid-Block

Build-Up Passing Practice (15 mins)

Method:

• 2 Passing circuits set up to replicate build-up shape on both sides - CB, FB, DM, CM
• Ball begins at CB position, where ball is played in pattern shown. Players follow their pass each time, and once they receive final pass at CM they dribble to beginning of circuit on other side.
• All players waiting at beginning have a ball to allow for quick restarts as soon as players are ready for pass.

• Instead of passing to FB straight away, the CB passes straight to the DM, where the DM will then play to the FB who will make a run to the space ahead of them. Players follow their pass in this same order.

Coaching Points:

• Movement and Body Shape - Players check off of mannequins into space as player on ball is ready to pass. Players ensure their body shape allows them to take touch past mannequin, in direction of their next pass, and allows them to play in two touches where possible.
• Variation of Movement - Players should vary their movement off of mannequins instead of just blindly moving into space i.e., drop at an angle into space, start behind mannequin and make movement off shoulder.
• Detail of pass - Passes should be to space in front of player receiving. Allow for back foot touch and at a pace that allows for quick ball movement.

9V9 Playing Out Against Mid-Block Phase (20 mins)

Method:

• Team in possession (Red) set up in 1-4-3-1
• Opposition (Blue) set up in 1-2-2-3-1
• Play begins with red goalkeeper unless stated otherwise.
• In defence, blue team look to shift as ball travels, and look to maintain shape to prevent forward pass as far as line of engagement (red cones). As ball reaches red cones, blue team now look to lock reds into once side of pitch, and engage opposition more aggressively to win ball back.
• Red team look to be patient in possession and play through or around blue team press. Players should carry principles from session, such as movements to receive from FB and midfield, and picking moments where to play through opposition or maintain possession.

Coaching Points:

• Stepping into space - CB in possession shouldn't pass too early, but should dribble into the space ahead of them to create a better passing angle into midfield/FB. They should be aware of possibly overdribbling, and should be ready to recycle possession incase of opposition press. Opposite CB should support from underneath as this happens.
• FB Dropping Into Space - FB should start slightly narrow, and once CB is ready to play to them drop into space to receive. This gives opposition wingers decision whether to follow or maintain shape. This will dictate whether FB can receive ball, or if space has been created to pass into midfielders. 
• Midfield Passing Angles - As CB steps into space, DM can drop into space to create passing angle forward by maintaining open body shape. If not able to play forward, DM can possibly approach with closed body and bounce CB on other side who will now have space to play into. 
• Supporting Play into CM's - CM's should start narrow and play on shoulder of opponent. When able to receive the ball from CB/DM/FB they should use movement to receive by either dropping or stretching play. If they drop it is important they get support from underneath from the DM or FB to bounce to. If they stretch play, the opposite CM should complete an opposite movement and drop into the space to be a second passing options, and take advantage of the new space created.