Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Possession Based Games v High Pressure

1.2 Pressing Game

Objectives of The Session

This session is based quick decisions under pressure on the ball.

• The red team have to make 6 passes in the box and keep the ball away from the blue team

• Once the red team make 6 passes they can switch the ball into any of the other 3 boxes.

• As the ball travels to the 2 yellow players in a box, the remaining 4 yellow players from the other 2 boxes have to sprint and go and support their team mates to create a 6v2.

• Once the yellow team touch the ball in the box. Any 2 resting blue players go and press the ball while the other 2 blue players recover in the central box.

• Once the red team play the pass to the yellows, they have to fill the empty boxes the yellows have vacated with 2 players in each ASAP.

The game continues for 2 minutes & the score is collated by how many times the middle (blue) team win the ball back. Once the 2 minutes are up the next team go in the middle and press the ball – keep your scores.

Key Coaching Points:

Team in possession:

• Create width & depth for ball circulation, have patience on the ball, find the space players, think 1 or 2 passes ahead, break the defending lines, decision to play through or around the pressing defenders.

Team out of possession:

• When & where to press, reduce time & space for the opposition, communicating and pressing as a team, slowing yourself down in the final yards to win the ball back.

3. Build Up v High Press

This is a specific session based on team shape & has 2 key focuses:

1. Build up play in possession – switching the point of attack

2. Pressing high – stopping the switch of play

Organisation

Think about the level of players and age group you have in order to adjust the area size. Make the area bigger should you want more success when building up and switching play. I have made the area tight in order to stress the players building up in order for them to make quicker decisions.

• Area Size – 30yards (Width) and 60 yards (Length)

• Each Box 30 x 30 yards

• 2 groups of balls for quick restarts

• Duration = 3-minute game / x 2-minute rest / x 6 reps

• 3 teams in different coloured bibs that rotate every 3 minutes and spend a total of 6 minutes pressing

Objectives of The Session

This session is based on the team in possession having a back 4 and 2 holding CM players. The aim of this team is to build up v a high press and switch the play by using their 3 spare players

• The blue team have to build out the back and switch the ball from one side of the pitch to the other.

• Once the blue team switch the play they can then pass the ball through the poles to the red team.

• As the ball travels to the red team, the remaining 4 yellow players are getting ready to press the ball

• Once the red team touch the ball, the resting 4 yellow players go and press the ball while the other 4 yellow players recover in the central box.

• The yellow team look to press the ball with a front 3 and attacking CM player. Once the yellow team win the ball, they have to try and score before the reds win the ball back.

Key Coaching Points:

Team in possession:

• Create width & depth for ball circulation and try to switch the play, have patience on the ball, find the space players, think 1 or 2 passes ahead, break the defending lines, decision to play through, around or over the pressing defenders.

Team out of possession:

• When & where to press, reduce time & space for the opposition, communicating and pressing as a team, slowing yourself down in the final yards to win the ball back, try and lock the ball wide and stop the switch of play.