Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Team Training Pressing with Mid Block 4

Block 1

Block 1: Ball Played to Blue Full-Back

• Solution:

  • Wide Midfielders (Red Team): Wide midfielders should start wider, anticipating the pass to the full-back. They must arrive early to press the player down the line.

  • Striker Movement (Red Team): Both strikers should stay high up the pitch, preventing the ball from being played back to the Blue centre-backs.

  • Red 10 (Attacking Midfielder): The Red No. 10 should stay goal-side and tightly mark the Blue central defensive midfielder (CDM), preventing easy ball progression.

  • Red CDM (Defensive Midfielder): The Red CDM should shift across to cover the nearside central midfielder (CM) when the ball is played wide.

  • Other Central Midfielder (Red Team): The other central midfielder should stay inside and maintain close proximity to the central midfield, being ready to press the ball when required.

  • RCB (Red Centre-Back): The RCB should anticipate a pass to the striker, being prepared to engage and win the ball.

  • LCB (Red Centre-Back): The LCB should anticipate the ball being played down the line, ensuring they’re body open and ready to defend wide. The far-side defender can be left as the additional man if needed.

Key Coaching Focus:

• Anticipation: Defenders must anticipate the next pass and move to cover potential passing lanes, particularly when the ball is played out to the full-backs.

• High Press: The strikers’ positioning must prevent easy access back to the Blue centre-backs and force the ball into areas where the Red midfielders can apply pressure.

• Compactness: The team must remain compact when defending, especially in wide areas, to limit the Blues’ options and recover possession quickly.

• Defensive Transition: Upon regaining possession, the Red team should quickly transition to attack, exploiting any gaps left in the Blue defense.

Block 3

Block 3: Defensive Adjustments for Red Team

Problem:

• The Blue team has dropped deep, stretching the Red team out of shape, and successfully played a ball over the top to the Blue No. 9 (Striker).

Solution:

• 2v1 at the back: One Red centre-back should position slightly ahead of the ball to prevent it being played into the feet of the Blue No. 9, while the other centre-back stays slightly behind, defending the space in behind.

What if the ball is played into the Blue No. 9 and he plays the ball to the winger?

• Nearest Centre-Back: The nearest Red centre-back must press the ball, particularly if the Blue winger is beyond the midfield. If pressing is not possible, delay the attack and focus on cutting off the passing lanes.

• LCB (Left Centre-Back): The LCB should stay tight to the Blue No. 9, but also remain aware of the Blue Right-Centre Midfielder (RCM) if he breaks free and makes a run.

• Red CDM (Central Defensive Midfielder): The CDM must recover in a straight line to ensure they are in position to affect the Blue No. 9, while also keeping an eye on the RCM and LCM.

• LCM (Left Centre Midfielder): The LCM should focus on getting goal-side and inside the Blue RCM to limit their options and prevent any dangerous passes.

• RCM (Right Centre Midfielder): The RCM needs to ensure they are goal-side of the Blue LCM, and potentially double up on the Blue Left-Back (LB) if there is a defensive imbalance.

• Red No. 10 (Attacking Midfielder): The 10 should drop into midfield to help cover the Blue LCM if the RCM presses the Blue LB. Additionally, one of the Red strikers should drop onto the Blue CDM to help break up the attack.

Coaching Focus:

• Defensive Shape: Ensure the defenders maintain a compact shape to deal with the ball over the top.

• Pressing and Delaying: Emphasize when to press the ball and when to delay to prevent quick attacks.

• Recovery Runs: Encourage midfielders and strikers to track back and support defensive transitions.

• Communication: Stress the importance of communication between defenders and midfielders to ensure tight marking and appropriate cover.