Challenging session: read and react

Session

England Football Learning

3 mins - Nov 4, 2024

Session intentions

This is week one of the pressing and tackling to win the ball session programme. Check out the whole six-week programme here.

This session aims to support players in pressing to win the ball to score. There is an emphasis on winning the ball from the opponent in 1v1 situations.

This session will help players:

understand how to win the ball back
keep the ball once they have won it
learn how to move into a counter-attack.

If you like this idea, download the session plan and give it a go. And don't forget to share your experience on the England Football Community. We'd love to know how you got on.

Session setup

In our example, this is what we've used to set up this session. But adapt it to suit your team and the space available to you.

Half a pitch

16 players

Flat cones

Bibs

Read and react

Split players into pairs and set up small gates with cones. One player starts with the ball in their hands and passes to their partner across the gate. Then, the partner dribbles to a cone while the thrower attempts to get there first.
Set up three pitches: long and narrow, long and wide, and short and wide. Each pitch should have an end zone. Run 1v1 scenarios in which the attacker aims to reach the end zone. Vary the scenarios up using the tips further down the page.
Progress the session by setting up a pitch with goals at either end. Have a 5v5 with six neutral players outside the pitch who help the team in possession. Scoring a regular goal is worth one point. If the ball is regained and a goal is scored within four seconds, it is worth five points.

0/0

Tactics board

Looking for a bit more detail? Check out Nimesh's tactics board video for this session.

Make it easier

Using the STEP framework (Youth Sports Trust, 2002) can help keep things fun, engaging, and appropriate. You could make the areas smaller for this session. This will reduce the space the attackers can use to their advantage.

Make it harder

To make this session harder, try changing some aspects of the practices. For example, in the first practice, the attacker could start in the area. They then have the ball played into them with their back to the end zone. The position that the ball is played in can also vary to wide areas to replicate in-game scenarios.

Coaching tips

Get your players to think about how they can use their upper bodies. How can they position themselves to apply pressure before making a tackle?

In the first progression, once the attacker has either got to the end zone or lost the ball, have them move to the back of the line of the other area.

Try to place your players in specific areas depending on where they play. If your players operate in a shorter, wider area, try that pitch. If they play in a longer, narrower pitch area, give them more practice there. For example, the longer, narrow area could replicate the defensive area for players in full-back positions.

The first progression can be continued by having the attacker start in the area. They then have the ball played into them with their back to the end zone. The position that the ball is played in can also vary to wide areas to replicate in-game scenarios.