PASSING PRACTICE

In these exercises we are looking at enticing the press to play through, and for the pivots to work on different lines to combine. The ball-side pivot is working wider to bounce back for the pass to the free second pivot.

We run this for 20 minutes.

[1a]

1. Play starts with right-side centre back

2. Ball passes along back line

3. Central centre back passes to coach, who is in the middle of two poles

4. Coach plays to right-side central midfielder, who passes to left-side central midfielder

5. Left-side central midfielder passes diagonally through poles to right-side attacking midfielder, who lays ball off to left-side attacking midfielder and then makes a run round pole ready to receive in middle

6. Move completes with scoring into mini goal

[1b]

1. Play starts with right-side centre back who plays one-two with right-side central midfielder

2. Ball passes along back line and returns to right-side centre back, who passes to left-side central midfielder

3. Left-side central midfielder passes diagonally through poles to right-sided attacking midfielder, who lays it off to left-sided attacking midfielder

4. Right-sided attacking midfielder makes a run round pole ready to receive in the middle

5. Move completes with scoring into mini goal

[1c]

1. Play starts with right-side centre back

2. Ball passes along back line

3. Middle centre back dribbles forward and passes to right central midfielder

4. Play progresses upfield

5. Centre forward exchanges passes with attacking midfielder and then makes a run round mannequin to receive the ball

[1d]

1. Play starts with right-sided centre back

2. Middle centre back dribbles forward to pass to left central midfielder

3. Left-sided centre back makes a run forward to receive the ball from left central midfielder

4. Play progresses up the field

5. Ball comes in to mini goal from left side

[1e]

1. Play starts with right centre back, who plays a one-two with central midfielder

2. Ball passed along back line

3. Right centre back then passes to other central midfielder

4. Play progresses up the field

5. In this example, the ball is played into mini goal from the right

ATTACKING MOVEMENT PATTERNS

We set up in two teams of 10 (two players per position). We are looking to bring the principles from the passing practice into this activity. We play out from the right or left centre back. We can use mannequins as indicative of the pressing team, or staff can take these roles.

We run this for 20 minutes.

[2]

1. Play starts with middle centre back

2. Ball passes along back line, returns to middle centre back, who passes forward

3. Four coaches are in place here to act as pressers, but they can be replaced by mannequins

4. Central midfielders combine to play through to attacking midfielders

5. Strikers look for run to receive ball

LARGE TRANSFER POSSESSION

We set up in 9v9 including goalkeepers. We are seeking quick transition to support on transfer, and for players to know what their next pass will be. We want intensity on the press and numbers around the ball. The transition team are looking to regain possession and work the ball back to the goalkeeper in their own half. Goalkeepers should always stay in their area, with one other player from their team in their half, creating a 9v7.

We run this for three sets of four minutes, with one minute of rest between reps.

[3a]

1. 9v9 including goalkeepers

2. Red team start with the ball

3. Blues look to regain possession

4. Reds make eight passes to win a point

[3b]

1. Reds continue playing

2. Blues win the ball back and transfer it to the blue player in the other half

3. The ball goes back to the goalkeeper to restart

4. The other blue players and six reds transfer to the other half, creating a 9v7

5. Blue team now look to keep possession while reds look to win it back

FOUR-CORNER RONDO

We set up in a grid of 30x30yds (the size of the session can be adjusted to complement the physical demands). In the attacking team we are looking for switching play, combination play, support positions, and end products; in the defending team, we are looking for pressing intensity, anticipation to press, pressing angle, and strength in 1v1 situations.

The coach plays the ball into the blues. One or two reds go to press. Blues must make six passes on two touches maximum before looking to break out and switch to the other blue box [4a]. If the defending team gain possession, they transfer back to their own team [4b]. Teams win one point for each successful transfer.

The yellow neutral floating player is optional.

We can progress this by allowing one blue player to come out and connect the pass, or allowing one red from the other box to screen the switch.

We run this for three sets of four minutes.

Once the players have mastered the session you can make the central areas more congested by allowing more players into the free zone meaning there are more decisions to make and making the practice more difficult.

[4a]

1. The coach plays the ball into the blues

2. One or two reds go to press

3. Blues must make six passes on two touches maximum before looking to break out and switch to the other blue box

[4b]

1. The two defending reds return to their boxes

2. Two other reds go to press in the blue box

3. The reds win possession and play the ball to a red box

4. Two blues go to defend

coaching points

What are the key things to look out for?

Scanning to get on the half turn, moving the ball quickly with minimal touches and hard work out of possession.

What are the typical mistakes players might make and how do I avoid them?

Getting on the half turn to play forward and switch the point of attack is always the main coaching point and challenge.