Session: AO.114 
 Age: 12-Adlt |
 Intensity: Medium |
 Time: 30 mins |
 Positions: All |
 Players: 17 |
 Area: 32x22 yrds |
Exercise Objectives
- Coach how to maintain possession in a 4-3-3.
- Coach team shape in a 4-3-3.
- Coach combination play in the central midfield.
Organisation
Diagram 1. Set-Up Arrangement
Set-Up
- Both teams:
- 7 players (+3CMs)
- 4-3-3 formation (With the CMs playing for the team in possession).
- The players to begin with are not allowed to leave their coned zones.
- Coach feeds balls from the sides of the field when ball exits play.
- Players should be positioned as they would be in their typical 4-3-3 from game days.
Start Position(s)
- Game starts when the coach plays a ball in from the side of the field to one of the sets of back four players. When ball is played out the coach plays in another to the team that needs possession.
Player Roles
- Main roles of the strikers are to free themselves up for forward passes. They should also be providing high pressure on the defenders when in posession, working to prevent forward passing and intercepting where possible.
- Main roles of the midfielders are to connect the field. Both the defensive players and provide support from behind for the front 3 players.
- Main roles of the defenders is to restrict space for opponent striker (prevent turning, dribbling, passing), provide support for midfielders, prevent long ball played in behind. In possession they need to spread early and provide passing options for the staging phase.
Scoring
- Both teams score by successfully passing from the back 4, through the midfield to the forwards and maintain possession for 10 passes.
Coaching Points
- Play quick and with limited touches.
- Maintain 4-3-3 shape.
- Back 4 should open up quick when in possession to maximize the limited space.
- Midfield 3 should be constantly rotating and moving to support the area of the field where possession is.
- Support. On regaining possession, support should be offered immediately for player in possession (after forward pass is made).
- High press. As the field is small when defending there should be high pressure immediately.
- Movement of the front 3 to loose marks and get open for forward passing into feet.
Diagram 1. Set-Up Arrangement
- Standard set-up with both teams having 4 defenders and 3 forwards (+3 CMs that play for both teams).
Diagram 2. Playing through the CMs
- Play must always go through the central midfielders to connect the field.
Diagram 3. Striker Possession
- When the ball is in the attacking zone with the 3 forwards. They should be working hard to make space and support each other.
Progressions
- Prepare players for a game by increasing core body temperature.
- Active warm up stretches to prepare muscles for activity.
- Develop a players dribbling ability and control.
Diagram 4. Progression
- Adding 2 small goals at either end is an option to develop finishing into the practice. Limiting touches in the central zone also quickens play.
Variations
- Increase the size of the field to allow players more space and time. At the beginning this can also be used as a technical practice by using two balls and letting the two teams pass through each other (1 ball each team). Both utilizing the yellow (CMs) to maintain possession a and develop patterns.
