As teams become more organized and aggressive when pressing from the front, top coaches and teams have needed to adapt and improve both technically and tactically to find solutions to beat this. This session focuses on teaching the basic principles of build up based around improving both positional play and technical quality during this phase of play.

Building through the Midfield

1.

Setup:

Build up passing patterns. 1st set just passing pattern. The pattern focuses on the relationship and movements that can be used between a center back, defensive midfielder and outside back.

Progression: Add in mini goals so that the final player can finish in them.

Instructions:

1. Ball starts at A. Ball played from A to B (after checking away, then towards the passer), who takes a touch wide towards the outside back. C checks short and then spins off into the space (show and go) to receive in behind.
2. Ball starts at D. Ball played from D to F (F checks away, then towards the passer), who plays a bounce pass to Player E. Player E checks away from the ball initially (to create space), then receives the bounce pass to play the outside back into space.

Coaching Points:

• Quality and timing of movements are key; they should be made as the ball is moving in order to receive at the right time in the right space
• The meaning behind the movements (to create an extra yard of space from the defender) is important to explain to the players
• Speed of play – correct quality and weight of passes are essential

2.

Setup:

5 v 3 possession rondo. 20 x 20 yard possession box (extend if needed, based on quality of players). Attackers play to the side with 2 goals, while defenders play to one mini goal. 3 mins sets, with 2 min break for coaching points, then switch defenders (4 sets).

Instructions:

Players on the outside of the box (x 4) are able to enter the grid and can only be tackled when doing so. Defenders are confined to the box to defend.

Play starts with a coach who plays to one of the 2 center backs. Center backs attempt to maintain possession to play into one of the 2 mini goals. When the defensive group wins the ball, they go to the mini goal.

Progression: Defenders can go out of the box to defend.

Coaching Points:

• Patterns of play – players are encouraged to perform patterns of play from the previous exercise for a double point.
• Circulation with speed – if we can’t penetrate, circulate quickly to move the opposition
• Support – Center backs must always provide an option from behind the ball, especially when they have passed forward. Outside backs must provide support, based on the pressing defenders
• Attacking to defensive transition principles – when losing the ball, the entire team must react to counter press, cut off passing lanes, win the ball back if possible and limit penetration

3.

Setup:

6 v 4 possession rondo. Attackers play to the side with 2 goals, while defenders play to the big goal when winning possession. 4 mins sets x 4 sets. Each set switch the defenders.

Instructions:

Players on the outside of the box (x 4) are able to enter the grid and can only be tackled when doing so. Defenders are confined to the box to defend. Play starts with the GK who plays to one of the 2 center backs. Center backs attempt to maintain possession with their team and play into one of the midfielders. After playing into a midfielder, the team can then play into one of the 2 mini goals. When the defensive group wins the ball, they play to the big goal.

Progression: Defenders can go out of the box to defend.

Coaching Points:

• Patterns of play – players are encouraged to perform patterns of play from the first two exercises for a double point
• Circulation with speed – if we can’t penetrate, circulate quickly to move the opposition
• Support – Center backs must always provide an option from behind the ball, especially when they have passed forward. Outside backs must provide support, based on the pressing defenders
• Attacking to defensive transition principles- when losing the ball, the entire team must react to counter press, cut off passing lanes, win the ball back if possible and limit penetration

4.

Setup:

Build out play- (7 v 6) + 1 neutral player. Play is split into two areas, (1) the area of the 18 yard box and just outside there, as well the wide areas up to the half and (2) the area from outside the penalty box to the half (shaded area in the diagram, 30W x 35L). 7 min sets, then switch defensive group if needed.

Instructions:

Play starts with the Goalkeeper who plays to either of the defenders. The defenders play in a 5 v 3 (including GK) against the pressing defenders, attempting to play into the box. After playing into the box, black team are in a 3 v 3+ 1 and can either attempt to the central goal or release one of the outside backs to score in the wide mini goals. Once playing into the shaded area, players can also play back to the center backs to retain possession (if under pressure). If losing possession, the yellow team attempt to play forward into their attackers and go to the big goal (all players can then leave the shaded area). Once the black team regains possession, all players return to their zones.

Coaching Points:

• Speed of play and circulation- technical quality and precision of passes to create passing lanes to penetrate
• Quality and precision of movement- 3 Midfielders will need to work together to create space. They will also need to know when to maintain possession by playing back to the center backs. Double movements by outside backs are also important to gain an advantage against their direct opponent.
• Attacking to defensive transition- an immediate group action to losing possession in order to regain possession and limit penetration.