Positional Possession Practice 1

DESCRIPTION

Possession team (reds + GKs) vs. Defending team (blues) - 9vs5 in diagram

Possession team have to try and possess ball and play from GK-to-GK

Defending team have to try and win ball back from Possession team and can score in either goal.

Split pitch into thirds, with the middle third further split into quarters.

An end zone is alos at each end - this is a safe xone for the GK to begin with. Defending team cannot pressure GK to begin with

Progress to can pressure GK

Possession team have to play through the thirds to go from end to end.

COACHING POINTS

It is importnat to paint the picture for the players, and explain the links to the game

Explain that the phase of the game we want to be in, is the in possession phase, where we have secure possession and we are making the field as big as possible

Priniples of the game - Width, depth, support, movement, penetration, improvisation

In Possession

When possession team has the ball, they are positioned in each of their thrids. DFs in defensive thrid, midfielders in midfield third.

• link the pictires to the game and explain how the practice relates to the game
• it is a possession game, and it is also positional.

The main purpose of the practice is to start to develop a style of play -which is playing out from the back, into midfield, and through the thirds to advance forward.

• Gk to DF to MF to FW. 
• When the opposite GK receives the ball - the practices just reverses and goes the other direction, so the DFs would then receive from the GK to go forward again.  

The 4 moments of the game - they will all be included in this practice.

• talk to the players and explain thes emoments to the players
• relate this to how we want to play. Why? How? When?

GK 

• composure and patience when in possession of the ball.
• creating a mentality that the GK is inegral part of the team, and not 'just' a GK.
• They are important when helping us play out from the  back and begin to develop possession.
• Technical/tactical passing aspects. weight, timing, types of pass, 
• recogntion and awareness of surroundings - try to assess the siuation and make the best decision based on what is happening.
• Always try and find a weay to pass our way out - 'find a way out' - regadless of the situation. 
• Never just kick the ball away without intention.
• be an option behind the ball as support when the DFS cannot go forward.
• Opening up and swicthing play
• communication - verbal, non-verbal

DFs

• split wide when the GK has secure possession of the ball
• Passing lines - angles and disatnces to proveide options on the ball from GK
• Numerical overload in defensive third to get us out.
• Patience, bravery, and composure on the ball
• Try to play forward when you can, but don't rush if it is not on to go forward
• TRy to play forward when a person in front of you has moved and is in space to receive the ball. PLay to someone else who can also go forward - best case option

MFs

• In the diagram, we have 3 midfielders - whoch relates to a 3 man midfield in a 4-3-3 for example. 
• These numbers can change depending on the formation, or how you would like to challenge the players
• Try to occupy the 3 of the 4 quarters when we are in possession of the ball
• then talk about making movements from thes original starting positions based on the space, position of ball, DFs etc.
• TRy to always occupty 3 out of 4 quarters. Talk to the playrs about this, and why? Also, say that is a guideline for space and positoning - it is not a hardline 'rule', and there will be times when players will crossover into some elses 1/4, for exmaple. 
• awareness, recognition, exploitation of space
• rotational movement

When in possession of the ball - we are all attackers - we just have a different responsibility and role in the attack - depending on our position on the field.

The reverse also applies, when we are not in possession - we are all DFs, and our aim is the win the ball back.

Out of Possession

When the possession team lose the ball, they do not have to stay wihtin their thirds, they can recover defensively 

Adoption of a defensive mentality as soon as you have lost the ball

Can you try and win the ball back as qwuickly as possible