Possession “Playing Away From Pressure”

In soccer possession is the ability to keep the ball without losing it to the opponent. Without the ball, scoring is not possible and without scoring winning is not possible. Therefore possession is one of the keys to winning.

Possession can become quite complex. One way to teach possession is to teach fundamental principles of play. By teaching principles instead of "plays" the players learn concepts of the game and incorporate them into play

instead of simply thinking "I must possess" Playing with these principles of play will result in possession.

1. Play the way you face

Often as a player the first instinct is to turn and go at the goal. Sometimes this is the wrong choice. It is often quicker and easier to pass the ball in the direction you are facing, with either one or two touches, than it is to

turn and dribble at four or five defenders. Players should be trained to "play the way you face" and speed of play will increase making possession easier.

2. Play away from pressure

Again, most players want to turn into pressure. Players should be trained to make the easy play playing away from pressure. Instead of dribbling into five defenders, pull a move, turn away from pressure and play back to a

teammate. The end result will be a team still in possession as opposed to a team that is now defending.

3. Check to the ball in seams

Players should be trained to maintain length and width, thus establishing a good shape. This will create seams. Once seams are created players should be trained to show to ball in this space. Focus on the timing of this run.

Too late and the ball will be lost, too early and there will be no space to play the ball. Focus on the verbal cues, speaking, and non verbal cues such as eye contact, body movement and control of the ball. First players should

be trained to show in the seams, and then they can be taught when to make the pass and when to show in the seams.

4. Pass and dribble on diagonals.

Playing flat in the back and middle is a sure way to give up a goal to the opponent on a counter attack. When

coaching, players should be trained to attack on diagonals. Players should be encouraged to dribble on a diagonal which creates multiple options. Players should be encouraged to pass on diagonals as this is more

effective because it is more difficult to defend.

5. Support on good angles

Again, playing flat (horizontal) balls is ineffective so play on diagonals. When playing this way it is important to support on good angles. Therefore support must come at angles in the passing lanes (created by the proper

shape). Furthermore, support comes from every player throughout a game so players’ roles are constantly changing as the ball moves. Be sure that the entire team not only understands positioning but also the proper

body position when in support.

6. Make a pass and run forward

After passing, it is common in younger players to make the mistake of watching the ball. Players should be trained to make a pass and then move in the same direction of the pass. Again, this does not apply at all times,

especially in the attacking third, but in most instances passing a ball and moving in that direction is very effective. It will keep the attack dynamic and will force the defenders to constantly adjust. Sometimes this

movement is only three feet, sometimes it is sprint down the line; it depends on the game. What is important however, is that after a pass, the player moves in the direction of the pass; “Play the way you face, run the way

you play.”

7. Receive the ball across your body into space.

Reception of the ball is one of the more important aspects of the game that is quite often overlooked. Though this is not true all of the time it is true often enough to be a principle. Players should be trained to receive the

ball across their body into space such that the ball is in front of their feet facing the open space. There will certainly be times when players will not receive across their body, but the end result will be the same; moving

to open space. The only other option is to receive a ball into a corner or facing away from the rest of the team. This leaves the player in possession with very few options. Therefore players should be trained to receive across

the body (most of the time) to move into the most effective space.

Speed of Play: First touch

First touch is the key to successful speed of play. Speed of play is the key to successful possession at higher

levels. Players should be trained to take a proper first touch within the tactical sessions. There are only four ways in which a first touch can be taken. These are listed in preferable options when attacking.

Whenever possible the players should learn to take a first touch forward to go forward in the attack whenever

possible. This happens when the defense is off the ball and the player receiving has space to touch forward. Additionally as he should be looking forward to see quality attacking options that will allow him to maintain

possession of the ball.

If a forward touch is not possible, due to a defender, the next best option is to take a backward touch to go

forward with a second touch. When the player receiving is cut off by a defender from going forward a touch backward, to get past the defender, followed by opening the hips and attacking in a forward direction is the next

best option. This will often occur when the defender marking the player receiving closes quickly but the rest of the defense is not behind the ball.

If these options are not viable then the third conceivable options is to take a backward first touch to play a

backward pass. When the defense is tight and the entire team is behind the ball and ball side going forward may not be an option. In this case going backward to pass backward will allow continued possession.

A final options is a forward touch to then play backwards. It is rare to take a forward touch and then to play backward. If the first touch is forward this indicates there is space to go forward, so going backward is counter-

intuitive as the first touch is forward and away from the defense which is behind. That is not to say this never happens but it is much rarer than the other three.

Therefore when receiving the thought process should progress as follows:

1) Forward-forward: The first touch is forward leading to a forward pass or dribble. Examples of forward-forward touches are right foot touch, right footed pass: right-right. The same applies to the left foot. Left-left.

The first touch is across the body into space with the left foot, followed by a second touch with the left foot.

2) Backward-forward: The first touch is backward, followed by a second touch forward. Examples of this

would be a right footed touch backwards followed by a left footed pass forward: Right-left. The same applies the opposite direction. Left-right. This occurs when the defender is in front preventing a forward touch. As the

ball approaches the hips turn to face backwards for the first touch, then immediately open up to face forward for the second touch.

3) Backward-backward: The first touch is backward, followed by a backward second touch. Examples of

this are outside of right foot receiving followed by a right footed pass backwards.

4) Forward-backward: The first touch is forward, the second touch is backward. Examples of this would be

a left footed touch forward, turning the hips and playing a ball backwards with either foot. This type of touch is almost never used as it makes no sense.

**Finally to improve speed of play players should be trained to look before receiving. By doing so and "taking

a mental picture" of the field they will know which of the three touches is required and thus be able to take an accurate first touch.**

Passing Progressions

These are basic passing progressions, but they seem complex at first. Over time they move very quickly as the players learn the sequences. These simple progression lead into the passing movements for the rest of the trainng

session. Keepers are in the middle, with a line on both sides. If there are no keepers have field

players fill in.

1. Play in, support own ball

Knock ball in, curve run out, play to next

Emphasis on curving the support run

One or two touch.

2. Play in, get back, find second

player in support

Knock in, support, play diagonal ball to outside back in support.

Make a curved run to open up to field

Use one or two touch

3. Play in, get back, find second

in support, get back and play

wall pass back

First to keeper, second pass is back

Play outside to second player, get it back

Wall pass it back to the outside player

First touch must be positive

Keep ball moving.

4. Find the overlapping attacker

from back

1, 2 –play ball in, get in back 3 – second player support

with curved run, get ball

4 – flank player dribble middle

5- open hips play back to overlapping player

get to line, get hips open, be sideways on.

Creating out of the back.

Begin with a hard driven ball to simulate shot. The progression (for game simulation) begins with the keeper distribution. The first player supports the keeper in second player supports the field player. For all exercise use two balls, working both sides,at the same time once success is

achieved to keep players moving. All diagrams show just one side. The mirror image would show the opposite side.

Keeper to flank player to central

midfielder

1. The first player in line hits a hard driven ball to K, then supports in the middle.

2. The second player supports, receives from K.

3. Play to central to original passer.

4. Play back to line Repeat.

Coaching Points:

1) Hard driven ball-use laces 2) When supporting be

"sideways on" with your back to the line.

2) Hips should be open and receive across body, push to space.

3) Crisp pass back to support player

Keeper to flank to central, wall

pass back to flank

1. The first player in line hits a hard driven ball to K, then supports in the middle.

2. The second player supports, receives from K.

3. Play to central to original passer.

4. Wall pass back to flank player

5. Play back to line 6. Repeat with next players

in line.

Coaching Points:

1) Hard driven ball-use laces 2) When supporting be

"sideways on" with your back to the line.

2) Hips should be open and receive across body, push to space.

3) Crisp pass back to support player, then open up for the wall pass back. Close the angle, take across body. Play quickly back to next passer.

Keeper to flank, dribble central,

central overlap

1. The first player in line hits a hard driven ball to K, then sprints to the outside

2. K plays to same player who passed

3. Dribble central 4. Pass to the second player

who sprints to overlap original passer, now dribbling central.

5. Play back to line 6. Repeat with next players

in line.

Coaching Points:

1) Hard driven ball-use laces 1) Sprint to the outside,

open hips, get your back to the line to see field. Receive across body.

2) K-distribute to feet. 3) Dribble central on an

angle. 4) Find overlapping player,

use outside of the foot to connect the pass.

6 v 2

Fullback-Forward-Fullback progression

Use only one side of field Flank players start in middle

and move from there. They with both teams

Work on the outside back-forward-outside fullback (in support) combinations

Red defends blue forward. Blue defends red forwards.

Two balls-work both sides of the field

Similar to warm up number one.

Defense starts at 50% moves to 100%

Coaching Points:

Get “sideways on” to receive

Push first touch to positive space

Support on angle after pass Look to create after getting

involved by finding the other forward, dribbling or shooting.

6v2

Fullback-Forward-Outside Midfielder-Overlapping Fullback

Progression

Use only one side of field and only one ball in this progression.

Work on finding the forward (2), then the outside midfielder (3) who dribbles central (4). Find the outside back in the overlap down the line (5)

Similar to warm up #7 Flank players play with both

teams When the defense wins

counter other direction using the same flank players. Coaching Points

Flanks be “sideways on when receiving for multiple options

Attacking outside midfielder – dribble central to engage defenders and make space for outside back’s overlap

Outside back – overlap getting in behind the defense

6v2

Keeper plays the outside back find the

Forward, he finds outside midfielder who creates from

there.

Maybe go corner for a serve Maybe play the fullback in

support to create from the middle\

If the midfielder goes corner, outside midfielder should work up in support

Coaching Points

Same as above

6v2

Keeper-outside back-outside

midfielder-forward-supporting outside back progression

work the left and right side alternating

flank players be sideways on for options

forwards start away and check to

outside back – get involved and create in the attacking thirds

play on angles pass and dribble on

diagonals

Coaching Points Same as above

6v2

Keeper-outside back-outside midfielder-forward- overlapping

outside back progression

work the left and right side alternating

flank players be sideways on for options

Forwards start away and check to.

Outside back – get involved and overlap as ball goes to forward.

Outside midfielder, find the forward and make a middle run

Play on angles Pass and dribble on

diagonals

Coaching Points

Same as above

4v4 or 5v5 in a 40x30

Play a 4-2 formation Central two fullbacks

limited to defense to force the outsides into attack.

Two flank neutrals confined to the lines

Excluding corners restarts begin with keeper

Progress to 8v8 +1

Add two flank players. Neutrals join one team, new players join other.

Added Neutral plays central Play a 4-2-2 in 8 v 8 with

four fullback, two outside

midfielders, two forwards. Excluding corners restarts

begin with keeper

Coaching Points

Look to combine with the midfielders

Look to restart after shot quickly by playing ball to outside fullbacks.

Incorporate combinations worked on above into the final game