Ivan Senzen is currently Head Coach of the U18 squad at Al Nasr FC (Dubai) – a position he has held since 2014. Previously he worked in Al Nasr FC (Saudi Arabia) as an Academy Technical Director and U15 Head Coach from 2010-2014.
A native of Croatia, Ivan also has professional academy experience in Europe having been a member of the coaching staff of FC Dinamo Zagreb youth academy from 2004-2010. He currently holds the UEFA ‘A’ License.
The following session develops two essential components of the game; (1) Patient and effective Buildup, (2) Fast Transitions to Attack on regaining possession. The session progresses from a passing warm-up activity to introduce the theme(s) of buildup + transitions from defence to attack; the session progresses to a Tactical 11v11 game.
1.
Setup:
Distances between players 15m; Players rotate – Changing positions A-B-C-D-E.
Instructions:
Player with the ball passes to a player on his right side (B); in this moment player on the left side (C) is going deep behind the mannequins – Receiving the ball and turning forward, towards the target goal.
The goal is presenting a target player, player behind him is a defender (D). In the moment player C is passing the ball, player D is pushing forward and intercepting the bass (transition moment from defending to attacking) . Player D finds the target goal on the opposite side from where the attack came.
Coaching Points:
- Strong passing
- 2-touch
- Finding free space behind the mannequins
- When defending – ready for intercepting the pass
- Understanding where the pass forward is going in transition
- Orientation
- Communication
2.
Setup:
2 corridors with players in their playing positions. Green team with #6, #8, #9, #2 and #4 in 2vs1 situation.
Red team with #6, #3, #4 changing in the bigger corridor. Up front #11 and #9 in 2vs1 situation.
In the right corridor in the picture, players also in playing positions.
Instructions:
Green team in midfield build-up trying to penetrate 2 defensive lines and score in small goals.
2 Red Defenders reading the game and trying to take the ball. When the ball is won fast transition forward. Looking for a pass in the forward direction to take advantage of 2vs1 situation.
10-15″ football action + 15″ rest
Coaching Points:
Green team:
- 2 or 3 contact play
- First solution forward if possible
- In transition 4 players in the corridor do not defend (step 2 is defending in transition)
Red team:
- Pressing the player with the ball, second player is covering
- Communication
- Anticipating the pass and recovering the ball
- Fast transition forward
3.
Setup:
As previous activity – Green team with #6, #8, #9, #2 and #4 in 2vs1 situation. Red team with #6, #3 and #4 in the bigger corridor. Up front #11 and #9 in 2vs1 situation.
Instructions:
Green team in midfield build up to score in small goals. 3 Red defenders attempt to regain possession – When the ball is won fast transition forward. Looking for a pass in the forward direction to take advantage of 2 vs 1 situation.
5-10″ football action + 15″ rest
Coaching Points:
Green team:
- 2 or 3 contact play
- First solution forward if possible
- Position of number 6 without the ball
- In transition 4 players in the corridor do not defend (step 2 is defending in transition)
Red team:
- Pressing the player with the ball, second player is covering
- Communication
- Anticipating the pass and recovering the ball
- Fast transition forward
4.
Setup:
8vs7 from the half line to Goal (A). 3vs2+ Goalkeeper on opposite side of halfway line.
Instructions:
Green team with midfield build-up, target is changing point of attack and penetrating into last third and scoring.
Red team defending with Back-4, 2 Midfielders + Goalkeeper.
Transition moment comes from the Coach (C) – as soon as the green team penetrates in the last third coach gives a 2nd ball for the Red strikers. 3 red strikers in 3vs2 situation – The closest green fullback must make a fast recovery run to create 3vs3 situation.
Coaching Points:
Green team:
- Communication
- Searching for free spaces
- Change point of attack
- Penetration passes in the last third
- Fullback position when the ball is not on his side
Red Team:
- Communication
- Closing the middle
- Pressing on pressing cues
- Covering and dropping if necessary
5.
Setup:
8vs9 from the half line to Goal (A). 2vs2+ Goalkeeper in opposite half.
Instructions:
Green team with midfield build-up, target is changing point of attack and penetrating into last third and scoring.
Red team defending with Back-4, 4 midfielders, Goalkeeper.
Transition moment comes from the normal run of play – As soon as the ball is won red team is passing forward for 2 Red Strikers players in 2vs2 situation. The closest green fullback must make a fast recovery run, and the opposite midfielder from the ball is making a fast support run to create 3vs3 situation.
Coaching Points:
Green team:
- Communication
- Searching for free spaces
- Change point of attack
- Penetration passes in the last third
- Fullback position when the ball is not on his side.
Red Team:
- Communication
- Closing the middle
- Pressing on pressing signs
- Covering and dropping if necessary