In this Possession / Pressing Opposed Practice, we focus on pairs of defenders regaining possession as quickly as possible. Multi Directional Practice | This practice focuses on developing players ability to press possession players to regain possession quickly, through forcing direction and limiting gaps for opposition to play through. Work with 3 balls between 6 players, giving the 2 defenders chance to win each ball as quickly as possible. When possession won they can score in any one of 4 mini goals as shown, before pressing the group to win second ball and third. Once all balls won, rotate defending players.
Attacking Emphasis30%30%
Defending Emphasis70%70%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Key Coaching Point 1
Increase or decrease number of passers or defenders depending on ability of each group (e.g. 7 v 2, or 5 v 3).
Progressions & Constraints 2
Time each pair to win 6 balls, work 3 balls and then another 3 once they are won.
Key Coaching Points
Ensure Possession and movement between passing players challenges defensive pairings.
Speed of press, with a particular focus on triggers for pressing as a pair (i.e. Slow pass, bad touch, lofted pass).
Limiting gaps in between, trying to isolate 1 or 2 passing players.
Effective communication for both defending and passing players throughout (e.g. time, man on, press).
This practice is focused on forcing direction to win possession to counter. With Blues building out in a 433, Golds defend in a 442 Diamond with changes with progressions. In this 40 x 30 Yard area, Blues must use the full width to penetrate the defence to score in mini goals, whilst Golds must defend central areas, forcing play wide to regain in wide zones. On winning possession wide, Golds can counter to finish.
Attacking Emphasis30%30%
Defending Emphasis70%70%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Key Coaching Point | Forcing Direction
If Blues have ball in wide area, all Yellows must be on that side of the pitch. Defensive Shape.
Key Coaching Point 2 | Actions on Winning Possession
Diamond Yellows must now ensure they stop ball into ST, forcing play across and backwards. Compactness, which allows Yellows to regain and counter quickly or keep possession and build to finish.
Progression 1 | Add ST to Defend Against
Change formation to add a striker which forces defenders to rethink how they press and force direction in the defensive phase.
Progression 2 | Opposition Rotation
All Blues can now rotate inside and outside, creating a numerical advantage for Yellows to deal with
Key Coaching Points
As a defensive practice in the main, we must ensure the attacking quality is at the level it needs to be in order to work the defenders. Focus on the shape, to begin with and ensure both teams are applying standard attacking and defensive principles before developing additional points.
Space | Focus on space between players, ensuring gaps are at a minimum in central areas, develop players ability to slide and press quickly in relation to the movement of the ball
Time | Set time objectives to remain compact and not allow them a shot on goal in 15 seconds for example. Could develop counter if need be (score in 6 seconds)
Equipment | Ensure balls provided quickly to maintain the tempo of practice. Balls in goals so when they score they have 3 seconds to start from own end, if they don’t goal get’s chalked off. TEMPO
Players | Develop individual ability by focusing on 2-3 players throughout.
Pre-plan defenders to develop, maybe midfield 4 diamond pressure or 2 CBs organising in front and set individual objectives
Advanced | We can clearly focus on many aspects of this Attack v Defence game, with an ability to also develop transition for defending the team, yet try to focus on a specific aspect, i.e. Diamond movement out of possession. It becomes easy to sway off topic, so try to stay focused, whilst maintaining challenge from opposition doing the right things to test players.
Player Focus
Shape Understanding | Defensive Shape | Compactness | Slide Across | Communication
This opposed practice is focused on midfield players regaining possession and developing and finishing attacks In the attacking transition phase. In a 40 x 25 Yard area, we had 3 zones as shown. Reds play in a 231 against Gold in a 122.
Attacking Emphasis30%30%
Defending Emphasis70%70%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Progressions & Constraints | 1
Allow Gold striker to drop in to create 3 v 3 to progress play.
Progressions & Constraints | 2
Gold players able to bounce back to defender to rebuild play if they are under pressure, forcing Red defenders to be more calculated in their pressure.
Key Coaching Points
Tactical | Recognise pressing triggers as a unit and counter effectively
Technical | Defending technique and ability to penetrate with forward passes
Social | Defensive pressure as a defending unit – press and cover
Q&A
How can you break into the final third quickly to create 1 v 1 and 2 v 1 situations on the counter?
How can you regain pressure quickly in the central zone without leaving your midfield area exposed for penetrative passes?
This 4 v 4 Practice + floaters can be worked to on penetration passing and defensive compactness. Decide on your focus, maybe one coach with one group and other with opposition, rotating players throughout.
Attacking Emphasis75%75%
Defending Emphasis34%34%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Key Point
The box 4 in defending must focus on distances and angles of cover to ensure they are not penetrated by the attacking passing team. They must ensure they are aware of the receiving player behind them and the pattern of play, anticipating where passes are to be played.
Progression 1
We can now allow a single defender to press, forcing the 3 covering defenders to cover a larger area and for the possession team to move the ball quickly, increasing challenge for both groups in different areas of the practice.
Key Coaching Points
– Social: Communication between players in defending phase – Physical: Cover distances quickly – Psychological: Awareness of players behind to cover passing lines
Q&A
Where is the best position to support my teammate?
How does the pressing defender affect the practcie and do we need to adjust session?
Who needs challenging more and how can we apply constraints to enhance this challenge?
