Development without pressure

This practice is aimed at encouraging players to develop their decision-making. It’s done by allowing them to make choices without pressure being applied.

It’s a session that has offered great success where our youth players are concerned.

It provides them with composure, confidence and the knowledge of how to create space and time in a game, as well as the skill to select the right pass in the final third.

What do I get the players to do?

Warm-up

In the warm-up, we set up three lines of six players in a 60x40-yard area. Player 2 receives from player 1 and feeds player 3 (1). The purpose is to practise various turns using the inside and outside of the foot, or allow softer passes so players run into space behind. We will rotate players during practice.

1

Practice 1

We now split the area into two sideways pitches with goals and keepers at each end. Outfield, it’s 4v4 in each half plus one midfielder who supports the attacking team. He passes to either attacker on one side. The receiving player must beat his defender and shoot (2). Next, a ball is served to an attacker on the opposite side.

2

We develop this by allowing the midfielder to actively join in – for instance, by following his pass to make a 3v2 overload.

Practice 2

Now we place the midfielder in a circle, where he cannot be pressurised. This enables him time to select the right pass(3).

3

4

Full pitch game

We move to a full pitch, 9v9 plus two keepers. It’s 4v4 in each half, while both midfielders can move unopposed in the central area, which is 20 yards deep (5).

5

Starting play with either keeper, defenders must receive the ball and feed the midfielder, who plays the ball to a front or wide player. Midfielders can pass early or run with the ball (6).

6

What are the key things to look for technically/tactically?

In Practice 1, we’re looking for good movement when receiving the pass from the midfielder – so crossovers, spins, movement off the shoulder etc.

Practice 2 and the main game are designed to enable greater freedom in controlling, turning, and timing passes. Players should keep their heads up when running with the ball, should use a selection of passes, and must be willing to take on defenders.