Pat McCann is currently working with the Football Federation Australia at the Academy of Sport, National Training Center (ACT) Canberra. He holds multiple positions within the program including Head Coach – Mens Football, U15 Head Coach as well as Assistant Technical Director and Head of Game Training.  Pat holds a wealth of experience as both a player, coach and administrator across multiple continents having played professionally in the UK as well as holding several coaching positions at the professional / semi-professional + college level in USA.  Pat currently holds a FFA ‘A’ License.

Many times the central areas of the pitch become congested with tight spaces and little room to play; it is therefore vital for teams to consistently practice their buildup/possession play in this key area.  Use this session to improve your teams ability to create space in central areas to allow players to maintain quality possession from the build up phase into controlled possession in the midfield.

Activity #1:

Setup:

14-16 Players positioned as shown.

*Note – activity is organised in the central area of the pitch in a vertical direction. Players 3 + 4 simulate the Central Defenders positions; Players 6, 8 + 10 simulate the Central Midfield positions, Player 9 simulates the Striker position.

Instructions:

PASSING (Unopposed) – Emphasis on Controlled Possession in a Structured Buildup:

Balls start with Player 3 / Two balls circulate at all times. Players move the ball from the #3 to the #9 using a variety of passing patterns.

Example (1): Player 3 pass horizontal to Player 4 / Player 4 to 6 / Player 6 to 8 / Player 8 to 10 / Player 10 to Striker position 9. Sequence is repeated continuously.  Players follow their pass to the next position.

Total time for all progressions – 20 minutes

Coaching Points:

• Check in / Out to create space and angles
• Receive in a half-turned position
• Quality execution of passing

Progression 1:

Instructions:

Player 3 pass horizontal to Player 4 / Player 4 to 6 / Player 6 to 10 / Player 10 to 8 supporting underneath / Player 8 to Striker position 9 / Striker 9 plays a one-two with 10. Sequence is repeated continuously.  Players follow their pass to the next position.

Progression 2:

Instructions:

Addition of 2 Defensive Players – can intercept but not tackle. Players are free to choose their passing sequence.

Progression 3:

Instructions:

Add third Defender.  Sequence is repeated continuously.  Players follow their pass to the next position.

Coaching Points:

• Check in / out to create space and angles
• Receive in a half-turned position
• Quality execution of passing

Activity #2:

Setup:

Teams are organised with a Goalkeeper, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and Striker #9 positioned as shown.

Instructions:

POSITIONING GAME – Controlled Possession from a Structured Buildup:

Team Task: To get a teammate in midfield facing forward to play a forward penetrative pass. Goalkeepers start the exercise by playing the ball into #3 or #4. Players 3 / 4 must look to quickly pass into the midfield area to either 6, 8, or 10. The players attempt to maintain possession until they can pass to their target player #9. On loss of possession teams start with the Goalkeeper each time.

Total time: 20 minutes

Coaching Points:

• Player Tasks:
  • 6/8/10 make space as ‘big’ as possible
  • 6/8/10 stay on your own vertical / horizontal line
  • Check in/out – switch roles on the run
  • #10 get in-between the lines
  • All players – try to receive in half-turned position
• Ensure cover in case of loss of possession

Activity #3:

Setup:

Buildup Team – Goalkeeper, Back-Four, #6, #8, #10 in central areas and a Striker #9 positioned as a Target player. Defensive Team – #6, #8, #10 in the central area.

Instructions:

POSSESSION GAME – Controlled Possession from a Structured Buildup:

Team Task: Work as a unit to receive the ball in midfield to create opportunities to play a forward penetrative pass.

Goalkeepers start the exercise by playing the ball to any of the Back-Four. Back-Four must circulate the ball until they find an opportunity to play into midfield. The midfield players score by using Striker #9 as a ‘bouncer’ before scoring in either mini-goal. If Defensive group regains possession, they score by playing a successful pass back to the Goalkeeper.

Progression:

Add Striker for the Defensive group to disturb the Back-Four during the buildup.

Total time: 25 minutes with stoppages for player changes

Coaching Points:

• Receive half-turned
• Play forward early

Activity #4:

Setup:

Teams are organised on a half pitch as follows: Team (A) 1-4-3-1 / Team (B) 1-2-3-3.

*Note – 3v3 in central area

Instructions:

TACTICAL GAME: Controlled Possession from a Structured Buildup

Team Task: Get the ball to players facing forward in the midfield area. Ball starts with either Goalkeeper – Emphasis is on playing successfully through central areas. The team in possession may create overloads centrally by allowing support players to enter. For Team (A) Fullbacks may overlap.

Total time: 20 minutes

Coaching Points:

• Goalkeeper and Central Defenders:
  • Play passes to allow teammates to receive facing forward
• #8 and #10:
  • Sideways-on to see the ball and forward passing options
  • Get in position to support a bounce-pass from #9
• #6, #8 and #10:
  • Stay out of passing lanes to #9
• Cues to Rotate: Pass forward, bounce-pass, Back-Four can’t play out