The FA's blueprint 'The Future Game' outlines the playing philosophy for British youth football. It tells us that coaches must help to develop young players who possess certain technical, physical and tactical attributes. In possession we are trying to build a style of play, with these key principles.
Quality passing and intelligent movement and support off the ball
Penetrative, incisive and varied attacking play, allied to good finishing
Counter-attacking whenever opportunities arise
The foundation for this is building possession, from the goalkeeper through the defence and beyond. In fact you only have to look at the worlds best sides; Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, Manchester City, Spain, Brazil, Arsenal..etd to see that the ability to build from the back is becoming a necessity. Teams that can't do it limit their ability to control the game, this loss of control decreases their chances of success. Possession is not everything but ability to play through the thirds with purpose is. Be that the patient and considered approach of Barcelona or counter attacking threat of Dortmund, teams that can play from defence, midfield and attack are dominating world football.
Here is a great example from Guardiola's Bayern Munich.
SOURCE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNEdqlg3N2I
These practices are designed to encourage teams to build from the back and play through the thirds/units of defence - midfield - attack. It also helps players understand their position and creates pictures they will see in a game.
LEARNING OUTCOMES...
To develop goalkeepers understanding of playing out from the back
To develop central defenders decision making; how to receive? When to play forwards?
For all defenders to start to understand when to play into midfieldFull backs begin to understand how and when to support the attack
To challenge midfielders to create space, receive under pressure and maintain possession
To challenge midfielders understanding; When to support?
PRACTICE ONE: DEFENCE vs ATTACK (4v2)
With a squad, you could run two of these practices so everybody is involved from the start. Personally I wouldn't intervene too much in this first practice, let the players have some time to recognise the aims and try and find solutions. In my opinion this trial and error process will get the players thinking about the game and correct errors they are making. This is ideal for younger players; it gives loads of repetition and is realistic to their game.
Depending on the age and stage of the players, you could progress to SSG or the POP below.
PRACTICE TWO
POP: PLAYING OUT FROM THE BACK
SET UP
Focusing on the BLUES who are set up in a 4-3-3 formation against the YELLOW who have a front 3 and midfield 3. Starting with the goalkeeper,encourage the following...
Centre Backs #5 and #6 'split' to at least the width of the box
Full Backs #2 and #3 push 'high and wide' on to the edge of the midfield third
Midfield 3 #4, #8 and #10 form a triangle, either as per the diagram or inverted
Wingers #7 and #11 go high and wide, to offer width and occupy the YELLOW defenders (in a game)
I would adopted a command style here, you can't build a style of play allowing 11 players to what they want. You won't get the shape you want or need to play the ball from defence to midfield.
GOALKEEPER TO CENTRAL DEFENDER
As the ball is played to Centre Back his team mates try to create the above shape. The basic principle is to make the pitch as wide (#2, 3, 7, 11) as possible and create overloads. Overloads here are created using diamonds and triangles. In the diagram above #6, #8 and #3 make a triangle around the YELLOW CF/RW.
The angles and distances here are vital, players have to understand how to support the player in possession. To often defenders are told to play out, given the ball and offered no support. This leads to defenders going long or making an error and not wanting to try again!
Below shows the Centre Backs 'passing lines'.
1. Full back (#3) adjust position to receive the ball
2. The ball is played inside to the Midfielder (#4/#8)
With option 2, either (A) the midfielder can create space as an individual, receive the ball and play forwards. Alternatively (B) #8 spins away to make space for number #4.
Note, it is good practice for the other central defender (#6) to drop deeper than the ball, to allow #5 to switch the play and as insurance in case #5 loses possession.
3 PICTURES / The modern goalkeeper
I think it is important to give the goalkeeper choices and for him to make the correct decision when playing out. If he is consistently rolling the ball to the Centre Backs, the oppostion will work this out. Equally the keepers role is to start an attack, he should take pride in assisting attacks..and even goals! I watched Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo perform a master class in a recent friendly versus England, he made 48 passes and completed 79% of them. More than Jack Wilshere who had 27 passes with 67%
The diagram above gives the keeper 3 pictures..
1. Into Centre Backs (as above)
2. If the opposition press high, can he throw/clip the ball to the Full Backs
3. If opposition press high, can he play to the feet of the midfielder.
DROPPING IN / Sergio Busquets
An alternative idea is to drop the midfielder between the Centre Backs. Sergio Busquets does this well for Barcelona
By playing with a Sweeper or third Central Defender, it allows...
Full Backs to push on, adding width up the pitch
Centre backs to split wider, increasing width
Creates more overloads, angles and support in the defensive third
PRACTICE THREE
SSG: BUILDING FROM THE BACK
SET UP
To continue the theme you can now take this into a conditioned game. Here the pitch is split into third and the game develops as the players understand their roles.
The initial conditions are;
Goalkeepers play as normal
Full Backs can play through all 3 thirds
Centre Backs are locked in their defensive thirds
Centre Midfielders initially play in the central zone
Centre Forwards are locked in the attacking third
FROM THE GOALKEEPER
CENTRAL DEFENDERS
COVER OR SUPPORT?
INTO CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
Midfielders will have to rotate and swap to get possession of the ball. I would explain the importance and difficulties of receiving under pressure.
Scan - have you built a picture before you receive the ball?
How do you control the ball?
Safe side - receive the ball with your body between the ball and the opposition
Back foot - receive the ball to play forwards
How many touches? Learn from the practice, touch limit or coach intervention?
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS: OVERLOAD OR 'LOCK UP'
VIDEO: PLAYING FROM THE BACK
VIDEO: ROLE OF THE #4 DCM
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