Develop your pass masters in a session which promotes shifting the ball quickly.
This small-sided game helps players’ ability to play out from the back against a high pressing opposition.
Use half a pitch, brought in six yards on either side. Put a full-size goal at one end and two small gates on the halfway line, replicating wingers for the blue team.
Blues (focus team) set up: goalkeeper, two centre-backs, two full-backs, three central-midfielders and a striker.
Reds set up: centre-back, three central midfielders, wingers and a striker.
The ball starts with the goalkeeper. Blues aim to get a player on the ball over halfway or pass through one of the gates. The Reds will initially act as moving mannequins and passively press, with no tackling. Once the ball is with the striker, quickly get shape and start again.
Progression: Reds can now actively win the ball and look to score.
• Can you get in a position to receive and play forward? If you can’t, quickly play to someone who can.
• Can you receive beyond your marker in space?
• Quickly support player on the ball from in-front and with runs in behind
• Drive forward if there is space in front
• Ensure defensive balance
• If we lose possession, get quickly into defensive shape
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