Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): 3 5 2 games

1v1 from side

Topic: Pressure (Timing Destroy with Body In) and transition after losing ball

Key points:  Moment of transition - If orange wins the ball, blue must immediately recover to prevent goal.  If pugs are too easy, make both cone goals.

Progression 1: All Grids are the same game. Blue line passes to the next blue player waiting in front of goal. That blue player attacks to try to dribble past the red cone. The orange player comes into grid to defend (as the ball is played in; ball moves, we move). Orange must win ball positive and counter to goal. Blue should transition to defense immediately (next play; no disappointment)

Progression 2: Add a wall player (1 touch only) to grid for blue.

3 Team press and def transition

Topic: Defensive transition - Prevent outlet pass after loss of possession. Pressing as a team.   Finding outlet passes.

Setup: 45X50 square. 5 yard lane in center.   4 pugs. 3 teams of 5. 2 big squares and one center lane.

GAME: 5 blue team players start with ball, and try to maintain possession. 3 green players go into square with blue players (5v3) and try to win the ball. The other 2 green players are locked into the central lane as screeners (and may intercept passes).   Orange players are locked into their grid to start.

Blue tries to connect 5 passes and then find a pass to connect to orange team.   If successful, green players must transition 3 players (2 middle.) into that grid and continue to try to press ball. Green players try to press/steal ball OR intercept pass.   If any of the 5 green players win ball successfully, they may attack the mini pugs behind the team from which they took the ball.   Blue or Orange could win the ball back in def transition and get back to a 5v3 trying to connect passes.   Switch middle team after minigoal is scored or team in possession turns over and doesn't win back.

5 passes/successful transfer = 1 pt.   Mini goal = 1 pt.   Def Transition won back = 1 pt.

Coaching: Immediate reaction to loss of ball (close space and deny pass.)   No thought of losing ball; only thoughts of recovery. Close space on press with 3 and after losing ball.

3 back transition game with wings

Topic: Immediate press upon moment of losing ball

Key points:  Anticipate the moment we lose the ball and close all space.   Track vertical runs of 7/11 after losing ball.

Scoring:  Blue = goal   and Orange = counter goals and waiting player

Progression 1: (WAITING ORANGE PLAYER MANDATORY - NOT OPTIONAL) Teams of 8 (1 waiting player).   Waiting player for blue plays ball in and blue attacks goal.   Blue tries to score.  If orange wins the ball, they may score by orange 7 or 11 taking or receiving ball through the outer gates.   Blue needs to react immediately to turnover to prevent long pass and blue 7 or 11 must track orange 7/11 runner.

Progression 2: Prevent all forward progress.  Same as progression 1.  Now Blue must prevent the 7 and 11 scoring on gates or connecting a through pass to waiting orange player.   Orange waiting player must try to position selves in opposite half the ball is in (using center cone as guide).

Cross Block 1

1) A1 passes to B1, and X1 gets into play defense. C player times run into box. B1 attempts to get a cross off behind X1 into C. B1 may cross at any time once they receive. X1 must close space, attempt to win ball, and/or deny cross. A2 begins once first rep is finished, and play begins on other side.

2) Crosses only come from A1 side. 1 C player becomes blue. Same game as 1, except now there is 2v2 runners in the box. Work on cross blocking on side, and man to man in box for defenders in the middle.