Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Breaking lines (Start Time: 2024-09-25 16:30:00)

Specific Practice (20 mins)

Organisation

-Area: Use the final third of the half-pitch leading to the big goal, with the center circle as the starting point.

-In Possession (7 players) begin in the center circle (central zone).

-Out of Possession (7 players) set up in a compact defensive block around the big goal, maintaining shape (4-4-2 minus wide attackers/strikers).

Blocks & Work-to-Rest

2 Blocksof 8 minutes each, 2 minutesrest between blocks (1:4 work-to-rest ratio if high-intensity; encourages quick recovery for repeated efforts).

Conditions, Challenges, Targets

-Condition: In possession must look to break the next defensive line within 5 passes.

-Challenge: Can the CAM, LAM, or RAM receive the ball on the half-turn to play forward quickly?

-Target: Award 1 point if a line is broken and possession is maintained beyond that line. Additional 1 point for any goal scored.

Roles & Responsibilities (Examples)

In Possession Team

LCB: Position slightly behind LDM/RDM, ready to step into midfield if space appears.

LDM & RDM: Provide angles to receive from the LCB, look to switch play or combine with CAM.

CAM: Find pockets between the opposition’s midfield and defensive lines.

LAM & RAM: Stay wide initially to stretch the defense, then cut in or provide supporting runs.

ST/CF: Occupy central defenders, check short to receive or make runs behind (play over).

Out of Possession Team

LB, RB: Press wide if the ball travels to LAM/RAM.

LCB, RCB: Track CF’s movement, remain narrow if the ball is central.

LCM, RCM: Deny passing lanes into CAM, shift as the ball moves side to side.

GK: Organize back line, be ready to claim through balls.

Coaching Points (Technical & Tactical)

Body shape to receive (half-turn).

Weight, accuracy, and timing of pass.

First touch away from pressure.

Play Through: Exploit gaps between midfield and defensive units.

Play Around: Switch quickly to wide areas if central path is blocked.

Play Over: Recognize high defensive line and utilize the striker’s run in behind.

Coaching Interventions

Freeze: Coach stops the play when the in-possession team could have played through a gap but chose otherwise.

Walk-Through: Demonstrate correct spacing for LDM/RDM or movement for CF.

Concurrent Feedback: Provide quick reminders during play (e.g., “Look for the CAM’s position!”).

Bullet Point Feedback (Between Blocks): Highlight successes (e.g., quick switch to RAM leading to final pass).

Physical Corner (Energy System)

Predominantly anaerobic (high-intensity efforts with short bursts). Players have short rest intervals to replicate match demands in the final third.

Social Corner (Examples)

Team Meeting: Before the block, brief discussion on the importance of communication to play through/around/over.

Captain or Leadership Role: One player organizes pressing triggers or calls for quick ball circulation.

Problem-Solving Task: Group decides how to break a deep-lying midfield line if central spaces are congested.

Psychological Corner (Conditions, Targets, Challenges)

Encourage positive risk-taking (confidence to take the ball under pressure).

Use a simple scoreboard for line-breaks to motivate players (team challenge).

Individual challenge: LAM or RAM must attempt at least one line-breaking pass or dribble each block.

SP into LSG (20 mins)

Organisation

Continue on the half-pitch with the same 7v7 setup.

Start with a focused specific scenario (e.g., midfield transition to attacking the final third) for 5 minutes, then let it flow into a Small-Sided Game for the remaining 3 minutes within each block.

Blocks & Work-to-Rest

• 2 Blocks of 8 minutes each, with 2 minutes rest between.

Conditions, Challenges, Targets

• Condition: In the first 5 minutes (specific scenario), the in possession team must transition from LDM/RDM to ST within 6 passes.
• Challenge: If ST/CF can receive in front of the final defensive line and turn, +1 point. If they link up with LAM/RAM and break the line, +1 point.
• Target: In the final 3 minutes (open SSG), continue to attempt line-breaking passes with the aim of scoring.

Roles & Responsibilities

• In Possession

  Quick transition from midfield (LDM/RDM) to attacking players (CAM, LAM, RAM, ST).

  LCB provides cover, stepping into midfield when needed.

• Out of Possession

  Maintain compact shape, press triggers when the ball travels to LAM/RAM.

  GK organizes back line to track ST/CF runs.

Two Execution/Strategies of Play (Examples)

• Through Strategy

  LDM or RDM receives from the LCB near the halfway line.

  CAM drifts into a half-space pocket (between LCM and RCM).

  ST/CF checks short, dragging a center-back out.

  LDM/RDM quickly plays a vertical pass into CAM’s feet.

  CAM looks to slip a first-time pass through the gap created by ST’s movement for the ST to spin and run behind or for RAM cutting inside.

  This occurs centrally, 10-15 yards from the top of the box.

• Over Strategy

  LCB steps forward and sees the out-of-possession line pressing high.

  LAM holds wide near the touchline at halfway; ST angles run diagonally behind the RCB.

  LCB clips a lofted ball over the defensive line towards the ST or LAM.

  LAM receives in advanced wide area, then cuts inside or crosses early to ST in the box.

  Ball travels from halfway into the final third via a diagonal pass to break the last line.

Coaching Points

• Technical: Timing of release, quality of pass (loft, driven, or threaded along the ground).
• Tactical: Recognize triggers (defensive line height, pressure on the ball, positioning of CF/CAM).
• Decision-Making: Assess space quickly—go over if defenders push up, go through if space exists between lines, or around if central route is blocked.

Coaching Interventions

• Walk-Through: Pause to demonstrate midfield rotation and ST movement for the “through” strategy.
• Freeze: If the ball could have been played over to exploit a high line but was missed.
• Concurrent Feedback: Encourage fast support runs off the striker once the ball is played forward.

Physical Corner

• Combination of aerobic (prolonged SSG) and anaerobic bursts (quick transitions). Work-to-rest intervals maintain intensity reflective of match conditions.

Social Corner

• Team Discussion: midfield players can better communicate runs with the striker

PROGRESSIONS & REGRESSIONS

• Progression (Increase Difficulty):
  • Reduce time on the ball (e.g., 2-touch limit in midfield).
  • Out-of-possession team presses higher and narrower, forcing quick decisions.
• Regression (If Players Struggle):
  • Allow an extra neutral player in midfield to create overloads.
  • Increase touch limit and time to encourage more control and decision-making.