Playing a high line

This is a session used to develop the team to suffocate the opponent in the final third. In order to do so the team needs to be comfortable in possession, so they can move the ball and wait for the right moment, but also aggressive in their counter-pressure to win the ball back if losing it without needing to run back from the final third. 

In order to do that we need to be comfortable playing with a high line when in possession of the ball in the final third. That’s why all our players are within 35 metres from the goal-line in the final exercise. This will feel uncomfortable for the defenders at first, as they want to give more depth, but it’ll make the team more compact when counter-pressing and giving us more attacking options as central defenders can play more line-breaking passes as opposed to staying back at the midfield line.

In order to practise the ability to retain the ball under pressure and to press after losing the ball we start with a three-team transfer rondo.

After that we go into a two-half two-team possession to keep the ball for as long as possible under more and more pressure.

And we finish off with the attack v defence in the final third. The key here is that we do not play to a time limit but at a limited number of attacks. That adds pressure to not waste any opportunity and find the right moment to try and create, just like in a game. 

THREE-TEAM TRANSFER RONDO

We set up in three teams of six players plus two goalkeepers, in a three-square grid, 12m x 12m at each end, with a middle zone 10m x 12m. We run this for six lots of two minutes, with one minute of rest between sets. 

Three players can press in the grid so it creates a 6+1 GK vs 3 for the attacking team [1a].

[1a]

1. Three yellow players from the middle zone press in the red team in possession, creating a 6+1 GK vs 3 for the attacking team

2. The attacking team complete five passes and then transfer past the middle zone to the blue team in the other end zone

Scoring System

• 1 point for scoring in a goal
• 1 point for completing a transfer and then intercept the ball to clear or to score a goal (2 points)

The aim for the attacking team is to complete five passes and then transfer past the middle zone to the other end zone. 

If the defenders intercept the ball they can either try and score in one of the two mini goals or clear the ball.

The team that was attacking will under all three circumstances (completed transfer, conceded goal or ball out of bounce) now be the defending team, and three players have to spring to the other end zone to defend and the three others will cover in the middle zone [1b].

[1b]

1. The three other yellows in the middle go to press the blue team

2. The yellows win it back and score in a goal to gain a point

The former defending team now go to the end zone they were previously defending in and wait to be the attacking team. Goalkeepers stay in their respective zones.

TWO-TEAM POSSESSION

We set up in two teams, 9v9 plus goalkeepers, in a space 25m x 36m split in two halves (25m x 18m), and run four sets of two minutes with one minute of rest between.

Every pass in your own area gives you one point [2a].

[2a]

1. The coach starts with the ball and plays it into the reds

2. Blues send in four defenders to press
3. Reds look to complete five consecutive passes to gain a point

To begin with, the defending team are allowed to send in four defenders to press. But for every time the attacking team completes five passes (and get a point) the defending team can send in another defender to press  [2b]. 

[2b]

1. Following the reds completing five passes, the blues send in one more defender to press

2. The blues intercept the ball and score in a mini goal to gain two points

If the defenders intercept they can either transfer the ball back to their half (which gives one point) or score in any of the mini goals (two points). If the attackers manage to keep the ball in their area and win it back by counter-pressing they’ll continue their counting from where it was at the time they lost it. 

If the ball goes out of bounce it will be returned to the team it belongs to in their respective halves. 

If it’s the attackers’ ball they will start counting again from zero but the number of defenders will 
be the same as it was before the ball went out. 

If it’s the defenders they will now start a new possession round in their own half against four pressing defenders. 

ATTACK v DEFENCE

We are playing 10v8, and set up in a space 35m length x 68m wide. We don’t run with a time constraint here, but limit the number of attacks instead. 

The attacking team has a limited number of attacks (for example five) [3a].

[3a]

1. The reds start with the ball. They have a limited number of attacks 

2. Blues look to defend their goal and counter-attack
3. The reds work the ball forward and lose it in the penalty box
4. They regain it by counter-pressing, meaning their attack is still in progress

If they lose the ball and counter-press it back without the ball leaving the area, it will still count as the same attack. It will be the same if they win any offensive set piece in the area (free kicks, penalty, throw-in or corner).

The defending team can score in any of the mini goals for one point or clear the ball outside the area to eliminate one of the attacks for the attacking team.

This exercise will teach your team in offence to look after the ball, not force the ball through but wait for the right moment. At the same time it’ll be important to be balanced behind the ball when trying to break through so the team can counter-press and keep the attack going. 

The team defending works on the low-block principles: defending their goal and counter-attacking actions (breaking out from the press) when winning the ball [3b].

[3b]

1. The keeper plays the ball out to a blue outfield player who scores in a mini goal to gain a point

2. The reds’ attempt on goal is saved by the keeper

The attack and defence shift roles after five attempts, with two attackers staying in the attacking team.