- Set border line for press- trigger?
- Pressure into 'net' midfield
- Back line read the pressure
- Protect space in front of the centre backs
- Protect space down flanks.
Are we going to press the ball or are we going to drop off ?
Are we dropping off for a reason ?
If we drop what is the set up ?
If they have unpressurised possession, they have a numerical overload and a big space to play in. Sometimes you have to accept that they have it and allow them to have the ball.
So now we drop off, what do we now.
Front man or however many we have. They just slide accross, sometimes they will take gambles, if they have an extra touch we can nick it. Sometimes he'll just be able to get across and force play in a certain direction. Slide all other players accorss so we are nice and tight and compact the unit is nice and tight so there is no room to
- Play behind
- Very diffecult to get around the sides. They have to come back out to come back in.
- Very diffecult to play through the gaps because they are small.
People are set up in places to defend. Get the set up right, we work on inside pressuring from mid field, send them into bodies try to break up the attack.
How do you do that? Answer you intercept or you spoil etc.
What do you need to do next ? You need to think about playing forward, get players into forward positions where you can break. The positions they take up have got to be behind the defenders inbetween defenders sometimes the most advanced players showing in front of defenders.You split up the players you then say to the player in front of the ball can you play to the furthest forward etc.
So you get into the principles of getting those movement between defenders getting behind, defenders and playing the ball as far forward as possible. You need to maintain momentum .
Having played the ball up can you push up. Push up to support behind, support in advance of the ball, push up and compact space behind the ball, make sure if the ball changes hands again that they can't counter. Thats your insurance, this screen in front of the defence. Dont let players back onto the back four, tell them when to stop. You want these distances the centre midfield three you dont want them flat, more of a pyramid shape. They play the ball around the back and get frustrated at the lack of passing oportunities so they force it.
You cant always counter attack you must recognise when it is on and when its not.
As soon as the ball passes in, he sprints wide, safe possesion. Get all eleven back, he hardly ever picks up, football in front of him, can we have mid field players on the edge of the box, who are ready to break out. Slide them in.
Look for quality of passes, final cross, final shot.
If the keeper gets it with one up he can throw it from the edge of the area delivery depend on the forward, whilst its travelling the midfield men have a chance to support. When the ball arrives someone should be running central & someone should be running wide.
Front players don't have to work their bollocks off. He only has to apply token pressure. As the ball has gone beyond him he is a player to be hit.
Starting positions.
Start from the attacking third and work back.
The blue centre midield player passes over the top into the corner of the pitch. If we have numbers then we can go and press, we can stop them coming out. What does the picture tell you, has the defender turned if not, step them in and squeeze the life out of them. Squeeze as a unit. If it goes into the keeper or they get comfortable possession, then we can drop off. The critical thing is patience, drop right off to the centre line, compact play, give them no where to go so they have to force play. We are looking for depth, so the starting position for the defenders is the edge of the semi circle.
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Player Responsibilities
Player 9. Only applies token pressure. Don't make him run doggies. Get him to stand between defenders so he is always free and available if we win the ball back. Don't drop a gut ! Try to find space between defenders. Only press if you have a chance of winning the ball.
Player 11. The forward on the opposite side to the ball or the chosen forward drops back into midfield so we have more compactness.
Player 7. The pressure comes when they get in our half ! But everybody has a job to do. The wide midfield player has to get himself in line. Don't worry if he is 20 yards away. Make it difficult if he is going to play one over the top. He starts to press when the full back comes over the halfway line. Then he blocks him off and shows him inside. Now the full back can think, I can get the ball behind or I can intercept it square. Send him into the pack
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Centre Midfielders. When the ball comes inside they work together in a triangle. It may be this shape
You are hunting as a pack. One player presses the other two support, or maybe you like two pressing? The midfield players should sit 5-10 yards in front of the defenders/backline. As the ball moves across the pitch everyone must slide across to keep our shape. Don't let the midfield players drop too deep. The midfield must screen the central area in front of the centre backs. Stop runs and be alert for interceptions.
Defenders. Drop deep, look for interceptions , if you nick it is there a forward pass on ?
Goalkeeper. Your starting position is critical. You must be in a position not to be beaten by a shot and if a throw ball comes you are first to it.
Counter-attacking
- Movement to threaten spaces- between and behind defenders
- running/passing ball forward if possible
- Diagonal pocket on the transition
- When counter is over transport the ball to find new angles of attack
- Seize the chance to regain possession- high in opponents half
- Think counter when the ball is moving square.
Defenders
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Spread out. Make the team as big as possible.
- Full backs push up beyond the ball if possible. Look to move the ball quickly across the "dish".
- Centre backs, split and offer for the ball. Don't get too close to the keeper. In possession can you hit long diagonals to the wide midfield players or forwards. Remember options - 1st look forwards etc. Look to centre backs and holding midfielder rotating.
- One central midfield player get into the hole in front of the defenders. Look at angle of approach. In possession can you draw opponents up and in to give space in behind.
- Can the advanced midfield player look to play off his makers shoulder in the space between the midfield and the attackers. Rotate positions in midfield and roles if necessary.
- Wide forwards, wide midfield men can you push high and wide.
- Centre forwards can you work both ways. Can you act as a link and come forward or can you get behind them.
- The goalkeeper, get into line and up the line to support the play.
Midfield
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Centre backs supporting behind and defensive duties.
- Full backs look to overlap in midfield wide areas.
- Holding midfielder, you must support behind the ball, in the front hole, be used as a pivot and look to pass behind or play through them
- Advanced midfield should look to rotate with centre forward and wide forwards.
- Wide forwards, wing backs. Be high and wide unless you are rotating with the centre forward or advanced midfielder. Look to link play inside with centre forward or advanced midfield player.
- Centre forward look to threaten behind and between defenders. Show short for runners behind. Run wide as required and look to secure the ball and supply the best passes.
- Goalkeeper. Adjust depth to support the ball. Look to sweep up and protect the space behind the defenders. If the ball is in the opponents half and your team is in possession can you push up to the edge of the area.
Attacking third
- Centre backs support behind the ball. Be prepared for when the attack breaks down
- Holding midfield player. Look to act as a pivot for switching play, passing through and behind the defense. Look for the chance of a long shot. Defensive duties include locking in and being ready for when the attack breaks down.
- Full backs support behind, and advance of the ball. Look for overlaps and crossing opportunities. Defensive duties include locking in and being ready for when the attack breaks down.
- Advanced midfield player. Look for passing and dribbling through opportunities. Support the centre forwards. Look for running behind, shooting and turning opportunities. Be in position to attack crosses.
- Wide forwards. On the ball side work as winger. When the ball is central or on the opposite side work as the second forward. Rotate with the centre forward and advanced midfield players. Be positive when finishing from shots or crosses.
- Centre forward. Show to feet, get between defenders and look for good turning/spinning opportunities.
- Goalkeeper. Adjust depth to support the ball. Look to sweep up and protect the space behind the defenders. If the ball is in the opponents half and your team is in possession can you push up to the edge of the area.
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