By Mike Smith
“Why is the other team touching the ball?” This is a great question to ask your team, and while there are obvious reasons the other team gets the ball, many times, it is because we actually play INTO pressure and didn’t use all our options. A team who can learn to relieve pressure by always playing into the open space to the open man will automatically become a better team: better meaning having more chances to score and limiting more of the chances the opponent has to score. This session works on actively shielding the ball away from the pressure and timing runs and passes to get the ball to the open man in the open space.
Lesson 1
4 v 4 + 2
Set-Up
Set up a 20yd x 20yd grid. Two teams of 4 attempt to possess the ball inside the grid. Two neutrals assist the team in possession. Designate one team the attacking team and one team the defending team. After a set number of passes are completed or a set amount of time has expired, the neutrals switch out with players from the other teams. The activity is over when all players have been neutrals. 7 consecutive passes or 60 seconds of uninterrupted possession is a good mark for switching.
Coaching Points
The coach should focus the neutral players on communication and good supporting runs. All the players should work on shielding the ball away from the pressure and giving the open players time to make the runs to open space and support possession. This drill should progress to game speed very quickly as a two man advantage is a very realistic match scenario.
Lesson 2
Create a Chance
Set-Up
Four defenders and the keeper stay inside the penalty area against two attackers. Use the top of the 18 to create two additional boxes and place an attacker in each box ( as shown ). Use cones to create an additional 10 – 15yd box the length of the field and place 3 additional attackers in this area. Outside this box, a keeper can be a target player for the defending team. All players must stay in their designated areas. The idea is to keep the ball moving and use runs off the ball inside the box to off balance the defense and create a chance that is 1 v 1 with the keeper or the open net. IF the defending team gets the ball, they may clear it, OR possess it and hit their target player for a score.
Coaching Points
Set a time limit for the chance to occur. Start with 15 seconds and work down to 5 as the drill progresses. The main focus is for the attackers in the box to recognize they are under heavy pressure and should combine with the supporting players to create open chances.
Lesson 3
Extend the Pitch
Set Up
Remove the box across the field at the top of the 18 and place two cone goals near the half line for the defending team ( as shown). The boxes at the wide areas are now occupied by neutrals who start play for the attacking team but can be used as outlets for the defending team should they win possession. 7 attackers take on 6 defenders with two additional defenders stationed through the cone goals as target players. A neutral makes a free pass to an open attacker who must then combine with their team to create an open scoring opportunity. Good use of neutrals makes this a 9 v 6 drill and should create numerous chances.
Coaching Points
“ Play away from pressure” and “ Why did they get the ball” should be the focus of the coach during this stage. Ideally, the ball is only going to be lost out of bounds after a shot so the mark of a successful session is when there are no turnovers in bounds during the run of play. Imagine a team who could maintain this mark during an entire 90 minute match?
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
