Mick McDermott has most recently coached on the Iran National Team Staff and prior to that, spent 5 seasons at Al Nasr FC (Dubai). He is now the Head Coach at Glentoran FC in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Mick holds both UEFA + USSF ‘A’ Licenses; he is also an Instructor for World Football Academy on ‘Football Periodisation’.
The following session aims to develop the ability and habit of ‘Quick Transitions in Front’. The platform to allow transitions in front comes from structured defensive organization; each player must know their defensive role – these same players must also know their role on gaining possession in order to create opportunities to attack.
The session warm-up prepares the players to ‘think transition’ followed by a 9v7 possession game focusing on defensive compactness with transitions to attack. The next activity – 11v11 – 3-zone game allows the players to carry the same principles into realistic areas of the pitch. The session ends with an 11v11 un-restricted game.
Transitions to Attack / Defensive Organisation
1.
Setup:
Two teams of 10 players; Players organised in positions. A 7v3 is organised in each half of the playing area as shown.
Instructions:
PASSING / POSSESSION – TRANSITIONS IN FRONT:
The 7 players pass + move inside their half of the pitch; the 3 opponents act as semi-passive defenders to disturb + intercept passes. After 10 passes the 7 players must look to pass to either of their 3 advanced teammates in the opposite half of the pitch – all players then transition in front to support the play. On reaching the advanced half of the pitch the 10 players pass for (10v0) for 10-15 passes before returning to their starting positions.
Both groups work simultaneously.
Continuous: 1x8min – gradually increase rhythm as warmup progresses.
Coaching Points:
- Warmup phase to instil ‘think’ transition – immediately look to pass forward and transition to support the play
- Quality of ball circulation / passing / support play in order to find passing channels forward
2.
Setup:
Two teams of 10 players; Players organised in positions. A 9v7 is organised on one half of the playing area as shown; Coach starts play with a pass to the 9 players (Red in Diagram).
Instructions:
DEFENSIVE ORGANISATION – TRANSITIONS IN FRONT:
The 9 players must complete 10 passes before attempting to score in either mini goal; the 7 Defensive Players (Black) must remain compact defensively and attempt to regain possession – on winning possession they must look to pass immediately to their 3 advanced players in the opposite half of the pitch; ALL player must then transition to the opposite half to score in opponents mini goals.
In the Diagram Black (6) has intercepted a pass from Red (4) – the Black team must now look to pass forward to (9), (11) or (7) in opposite half.
Coach starts play in either half.
Continuous: 2x4min
Coaching Points:
- Defensive organisation: compactness / deny passing options
- On winning possession – ‘think’ transition – immediately look to pass forward and transition to support the play
- Movement / supporting angles / passing options from (9) / (7) / (11)
- Possession Team: Quality of ball circulation / passing / support play to maintain possession
3.
Setup:
11v11 as shown. Playing area split into 3 zones; 7v6 in Zone (A), 1 C.Mid Player in Zone (B), 3v3+GK in Zone (C).
Instructions:
DEFENSIVE ORGANISATION – TRANSITIONS IN FRONT:
Play starts with a pass from Coach (C) to Red attacking team in Zone (A). Defensive team (Black) must remain compact and attempt to win possession; on winning possession they must pass to any of their advanced players dropping into central Zone (B) to support. Red (6) moves in central Zone (B) to block forward passes. Black team must immediately transition in front to support the play and attempt to score in opponents goal.
2x8min – change roles after first 8min block
Coaching Points:
- Defensive organisation: compactness / deny passing options + scoring opportunities in Zone (A)
- On winning possession – ‘think’ transition – immediately look to pass forward and transition to support the play
- Movement / supporting angles / passing options from advanced players – (9) / (7) / (11)
- Possession Team: Quality of ball circulation / passing / to create scoring chances in Zone (A)
NOTE: SESSION ENDS WITH 11v11 GAME – No Restrictions: 1x10min