Session Example

REGAINING POSSESSION EARLY

(Pressing; High Pressure)

This is an Instructor’s Session on Team Defending.

• A full team is needed.

• A full field is also needed.
• Establishing the defending/transition mentality from the start is critical. Without it the session
will not work. Urgency to win the ball immediately must exist.
• Group and Team Tactics are very important in order to carry out the topic.
o Pressing and High Pressure
• Roles and Functions of individuals and groups need to be clearly defined.
o Assigning positional numbers are necessary: #9 for Center Forward; #6 for Defensive
Midfielder etc.
• Teaching Counter Attack should also be introduced as a result of Regaining Possession Early.
• More than once session will be needed to accomplish the task of Regaining Possession.
• Coach needs to have a strategy for the upcoming game. In other words why is this session
necessary for the team?

© 2011 U.S. Soccer CONFIDENTIAL– Not to be shared without U.S. Soccer approval 1
INSTRUCTOR: Carlos Juarez COURSE: National A DATE: Nov. 2013

TOPIC: Regaining Possession Early (Pressing, High Pressure)

STAGE / SET-UP ORGANIZATION (DIAGRAM + RULES) OBJECTIVES / COACHING POINTS

DYNAMIC WARM-UP OBJECTIVE: TO SET THE MENTALITY
A. All players in 2 lines go thru a series of (It is critical that the Coach sets the right mentality
Dynamic Stretches: to defend and win the ball)
• Hamstrings; Quadriceps; Gluts; Lower Back • Teach the players proper defensive stand and
• Adductors; Abductors Hip Flexors; technique
• Shoulders; Calf Muscles • Encourage body contact, use of body
• Objective is to defend aggressively
1V1 TRANSITIONAL • To win the ball and keep possession
B. 2 partners with 1 ball • To take pride in defending individually and
• On Coach’s command, a player dribbles then collectively
switch.
• They are going straight at each other no
more than 10 yds. At a time.
• At first its shadow, after a few reps it’s
competitive and they try to dis-posses each
other of the ball

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY OBJECTIVE: PRESS THE BALL AS A UNIT

(Grid 50 by 30 divided in half) TACTICAL ASPECTS;
5v5+Neutral+1+Targets at each end • Hunt the ball with good pressure, cover
• One team tries to keep possession with • Balance is not as critical. The main purpose is
good ball movement and mobility to surround the ball and win it
• Once opposing team wins the ball they try • Direct pressure to the ball is the key, not much
to play ball to opposing target asap, run to emphasis on angles
support and become the team in possession • Must work as a group
in that half • Timing of pressing is critical
• Targets support play, stay outside and have • If not ready as a unit, delay
2 touch, same as Neutral • Transition, important
• Find far target quickly, support with speed and
keep possession

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© 2011 U.S. Soccer CONFIDENTIAL– Not to be shared without U.S. Soccer approval 2
INSTRUCTOR: Carlos Juarez COURSE: National A DATE: Nov, 2013

TOPIC: Gaining Possession Early (Pressing, High Pressure)

STAGE / SET-UP ORGANIZATION (DIAGRAM + RULES) OBJECTIVES / COACHING POINTS

III. EXPANDED ACTIVITY PRESSING AND HIGH PRESSURING
(Full Width by 75 yds. Long, big goal to 2 counter Specific emphasis is on the organized effort to
goals) win the ball in the opponents half as a tactical
-8v8+ GK strategy
• Attacking team (defending big goal) line up in • Tactical implications include triggers to decide
a 1-4-3-1 Who, When, Where , How starts the Pressing
• Defending team (defending counter goals) in order to win the ball
line up in a 2-2-3-1 • Organizing the confrontation line correctly to
• Confrontation line is about 30 yds. Away from invite the opposing team to build out of the
large goal back or to forcing them into playing the ball
• Attacking team tries to build out of the back long and win it then
• Defending team gets organized to Press and • Ultimately winning the ball in the attacking 3rd
High Pressure is ideal, if not in middle 3rd and finally in own
• Purpose is to win the ball collectively and 3rd
create scoring chances by countering quickly • Delegate defensive responsibilities to all
players by position, #’s 9,10, 8, 7, 11, 6, 4, 5

IV. GAME MATCH: 11v11

11v 11 (Defending team 1-4-2-3-1) (opposing Target Team 1-4-2-3-1
team lines up depends on upcoming game) Opponent 1-4-4-2 (this could vary)
The progression to the final game stage is simply • Explain Tactical roles and functions when your
a matter of extending the length of the field and team is defending by lines
adding a 2nd full-size goal. • #9, 10, 7, 11
• Use all FIFA rules during play. • #6, 8
• Provide your team a strategy: confrontation • #2, 4, 5, 3
line, cues when to press, scores • #1
• You can manage the game by making a few • What do you want your team after winning
stoppages to bring out examples of the the ball
session.

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© 2011 U.S. Soccer CONFIDENTIAL– Not to be shared without U.S. Soccer approval 3