Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): FAST ZONE TECHNICAL (SPECIFIC): THE ART OF PRESSING (Start Time: 2018-10-01 20:00:00)

MDG: ORGANISATION/SET UP (30 mins)

MDG

* 20x20 pressing square with a channel on each side 5 yds in depth.

* 4 players inside square (yellow bibs) with 3 players in each channel on the outside = total of 16 players

* 5x5 box in each corner with 5 balls in each

Set up

* play starts with yellow team player who sprints out to any corner and collects a ball > the yellow team then pass 1-2 touch at a high tempo between each other within square and after 5-6 passes the coach will blow his whistle to start next phase.

* On the whistle the ball is played to any red outside player to simulate losing possession.

* Red players have to stay in there channel and the objective is to try and play a pass through the yellow team to a red player on opposite side of square to score a goal eg C - D or A - B.

* Red players can pass to any other red player but they only score a goal if they play to a red on opposite side.

* Red players are limited to 2 touch.

* If the ball goes out of play then a yellow team player starts another phase of play by collecting another ball from any corner > if the yellow team intercept a pass then they pass between themselves until coach blows whistle for pass out.

Main Objective of session

* yellow team (4) have to try and stop/limit the reds (12) scoring by pressing the ball and limiting passing options/space for red team to play through them. The who/when/why/where & how to press will be discussed using a Q & A > guided discovery style of coaching.

Time

* Yellow team will stay in for 2 mins then change with 1 red player from each side of square for the next 2 minute block so all players have 2 mins in centre > 2-2-2-2 with 30 second change over = 10 mins total for 1st set.

* Number of sets is dependant on the time of the week: I completed 2 sets (20 mins) as a prep phase -4 match day so each player completed 4 mins in central pressing area.

* You can increase/decrease the difficulty of the session by changing the number of players in the centre of square or by making the square smaller.

Keypoints

> angle of press

> intensity of press

> timing of press/triggers

> press or protect

> pressing as a unit

Solution to problem 1

Solution

* Coach the yellow team to try and start each press with a diamond formation as this will prevent them flattening out and will allow security for the man pressing the ball. Also enables the back man to communicate and see the whole picture in front of him.

* TIMING: the trigger for the press is as the ball leaves the foot of the passing player and his head is down > cover ground quickly as ball is travelling and as the ball arrives at receiver ASSESS whether to press again if head is down and space/options are limited or PROTECT if your initial press has not limited space/options and receiver has head up.

SEE DIAGRAM

* As player 1 presses ball players 2 & 4 are covering his left and right shoulder with player 3 preventing the split pass if red player manipulates ball to create passing line through to team B.

* If red player on team A plays pass to red player on team D then yellow player 2 now becomes point of diamond and presses ball with rest of unit pivoting to change roles.

* encourage the pressing unit to visualise an arrow head with the 3 front players keeping a triangle formation with distances at a constant if possible & with the back man covering and passing information through the unit.