Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): D13 - Coach Midfield 3 to Defend in Front of Back 4 (Start Time: 2020-06-18 18:05:00)

Warm Up - Delay & Support (10 mins)

Organization: 30*25 grid in front of the main goal. 4 cones in a diamond shape at the top of the grid. Server at the top of the diamond. Players line up behind the bottom three cones. Two defenders, one on each side of the goal with a ball.

Activity: Players start in a flat line across and when the coach serves a ball in the direction of one of the cones, one player will attack the ball and play it back to the coach while the other two players provide cover and balance. Coach will alternate serving to different cones and players will adjust accordingly. After a few reps coach releases the players and two of the players will attack the net and receive a ball from a server beside the net and finish with an uncontested shot on net.

Coaching Points:

1. Pressure, cover and balance.

2. Attack the ball quickly.

3. Body position.

4. Angle/distance of support.

5. Communication.

Phase: Midfield 3 in front of Back 4 (20 mins)

Organization: half field at North Park. Two small 5*5 boxes on either side of the center circle at the half line. Supply of balls with a server in the center circle.

Activity: Blue play 1-4-3 (with two additonal wingers in the boxes) vs. Red who play 1-3-3 (server in the center circle). All restarts with the server. Red look to attack the large goal. Blue look to win the ball back and play the server (3 passes = 1 goal).

Progressions:

1. One winger can come into play when the ball is on the opposite side to seal off space on weak side.

2. Introduce two FB's for Red who can join the attack when the ball is on their side. Both wingers for blue can drop in to track the FBs or seal off space.

Coaching Points:

1. Nearest defender/midfielder pressures the ball to prevent forward pass. Second midfielder tries to close off forward passing lane to a forward and marks "loose".

2. HMF screens pass to central forward.

3. Midfield unit moves as a group and as the ball travels. Press the ball, screen, support & loose mark.

4. Communication: (from back 4, especially CBs) to assist midfield with body position in relationship to the ball and strikers. Remove passing opportunities to forwards.