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The session is based around an out of possession practice when concentrating on preparing for a league fixture against a 3-5-2 formation.
Area | Up to full pitch |
Equipment | Balls, bibs, flat markers, 2 full size goals |
No. of Players | Up to 20 outfield + 2 goalkeepers |
Session Time |
Warm-up [not shown]: 15mins |
The session is based around an out of possession practice when concentrating on preparing for a league fixture against a 3-5-2 formation. The session works back from a high press/mid block to low block tactics for the game in question.
For player engagement, the session is 11v11 tactical. Starting off with a principle-based small-sided game, it enables the opportunity for detail to be drip fed early but, in addition, allows plenty of competition and touches on the ball before opening into larger spaces.
The session will be run once a week but how it looks may vary slightly, dependent on the opposition.
“Awareness will be around covering the main patterns and style of opponents, whilst being aware of individual strengths they may have”
After a warm-up [not shown], we set up three boxes, each 6x6 yards. These tight boxes encourage pre-engagement with the ball. Five in-possession players and two defenders are in each of the boxes. The in-possession team look to keep the ball, while the defenders try to win the ball back. If the defending players are successful in gaining possession, they should look to keep possession between them [1a].
Five in-possession players face two defenders in each box
Every 20-30 seconds, the coach blows the whistle. The defending pairs rotate clockwise [1b].
The in-possession team win the ball back from the defenders
The in-possession teams will continue playing during this period, with the defending pairs looking to win the ball back in their new squares.
We run this practice for 5 minutes.
“Tight boxes encourage pre-engagement with the ball”
We set up on half a pitch, split into zones of 20 yards, 15 yards and 20 yards width ways and along the penalty box length ways. These markings are used for pitch geography information. Two full size goals are used, with a goalkeeper in each.
Teams play 11v11, with the red team set up in a 3-4-3 low block against the blue team, who line-up in a 3-5-2 formation, replicating the upcoming opposition [2].
The red team plays 3-4-3 in a low block
When putting players into the opposition line-up, we use individual characteristics close to what we are likely to come up against.
When the blue team attack, specific detail on the press and the low block is drip-fed to the red team by the coach.
We run this practice for three blocks of four minutes.
We set up on a full pitch which is split into thirds, with a full size goal in each end. We play 11v11, with the red team set up in a 3-4-3 formation and the blues in a 3-5-2, replicating the upcoming opposition.
This is the opportunity to have the opposition team play in the same style as we are expecting from the fixture in order to create pictures we may face. The starting 11 are given problems to solve by the opposition and must find solutions with the support of tactical information, delivered by the coaches to individuals, units and the team as a whole. Awareness will be around covering the main patterns and style of opponents, whilst being aware of individual strengths they may have.
First, we work on the reds executing a high press [3a].
The red team are set up to press high
The ball starts with the blues’ centre-back, who plays the ball out to the winger. The red team look to win the ball back with the winger pressing; the forwards shift across the pitch accordingly, and the opposite winger shifts inside. The midfielders secure the middle of the pitch as the winger forces a pass back inside, which a forward will press.
Next, the red team sets up in a mid-block [3b].
The red team are set up in a mid block
In this instance, the ball starts with the blues’ goalkeeper, who plays it to a centre-back. The red team look to win the ball back, with a forward pressing. The midfielders are again expected to secure the middle of the pitch, with the wingers dropping to form a back five. They are expected to roll around to stop the opening of space for through balls and attacking runs.
Finally, the red team sets up in a low block [3c].
The red team are set up in a low block
The ball starts with the blues’ winger. The red team look to win the ball back, with the forwards dropping to cover, the midfielders securing the middle of the pitch and the wingers dropping to form a back five. The back five roll around to stop the opening of space for through balls and runs.
We run each section of the tactical practice for 8 minutes.
There is potential to open the game up to free play for a block. If this is done, awareness must be around the principles we’ve been working on in the session.
What are the key things to look for?
We look for:
What are the typical mistakes players might make and how do I avoid them?
Players may show little enthusiasm when there is the potential to chase opponents or the ball. Repetition and showing good practice with video clips will help reinforce messages to improve this.
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