UPHQ Sunday Session
ARRIVAL ACTIVITY
LA Galaxy 1v1 Competition Activity
Objective: To practice 1v1 attacking and defending skills, with a focus on creating scoring opportunities and defending effectively.
Setup:
Two mini goals are placed at either end of the playing area.
One goalkeeper (GK) in goal.
Players are divided into two teams, and each team has a designated attacking player and a defending player.
Key Focus Areas:
Attacking: Players should work on quick dribbling, change of direction, and shot placement.
Defending: Emphasis on reading the game, staying goal-side, timing tackles, and clearing the ball.
Transition Play: Both attackers and defenders should focus on quick transitions between offense and defense.
Progression Ideas:
Time Limit: Set a time limit for the attacking player to score (e.g., 15 seconds).
Multiple Rounds: Rotate the players so everyone has a chance to defend and attack.
Pressure: Add more defenders or increase the space to make the attacking player’s job harder.
Main Activity
PSV Eindhoven Defending Organized Activity
Objective:
To focus on defensive organization, pressing in a 3v4 situation, and transitioning to attack. Defenders need to work together to prevent goals and try to win the ball back before breaking out and scoring in the mini goals.
Setup:
3 attackers: These are the players in possession and trying to combine to attack.
4 defenders: Red players who are tasked with protecting the goal and breaking up the attack.
Goalkeeper (GK): The GK is in goal, and the defenders need to help protect them.
Mini Goals: Two mini goals placed at either end of the field for the defenders to break into if they win the ball.
Key Focus Areas for Defenders:
Defensive Shape: Red players must maintain an organized defensive shape, working together to block passes and protect the goal.
Pressing and Communication: The defenders need to press the attackers as a unit, communicating with each other to ensure no player is left open.
Transition to Attack: Once the ball is won back, defenders should look to capitalize quickly by breaking into the mini goals.
Staying Compact: The defenders should stay compact and avoid leaving too much space for the attackers to exploit.
Key Focus Areas for Attackers:
Combination Play: Attackers need to focus on quick combinations, passing, and movement to break down the defense.
Decision Making: The attackers must make smart decisions on when to pass, shoot, or dribble.
Creating Space: Attackers should try to pull the defenders out of position to create space for shots on goal.
Progression Ideas:
Time Pressure: Add a time limit for the defenders to win the ball back and score in the mini goals. For example, the defenders must score in one of the mini goals within 10 seconds of winning the ball.
Increase Attacker Numbers: Add another attacker or more combination opportunities to make the defenders work harder.
Defender Restriction: Limit the number of touches the defenders can take when they win the ball back, encouraging quick transitions.
Small Sided Games
RB Leipzig 3v2 Attacking Activity
Objective:
To practice attacking in a 3v2 overload, working on quick passing, movement, and decision-making to break down defenders. The defenders in the middle aim to win the ball and quickly transition to the other half, while the attacking players aim to create a goal-scoring opportunity through smart passes and runs.
Setup:
Area: A rectangular field divided into two halves.
Key Focus Areas:
For Attackers:
Quick passing and movement to create angles for receiving the ball and to break down the defenders.
Timing of runs: Players must time their runs to pull defenders out of position and create space for passes or shots.
Decision-making: The attackers must decide whether to pass, dribble, or shoot based on the defenders' positioning.
For Defenders:
Defensive shape: Defenders must stay compact and communicate well to stop the attacking overload.
Pressing and intercepting passes: Defenders should work together to disrupt the 3v2 situation and regain possession of the ball.
Transition quickly: If they win the ball, defenders need to act quickly to launch a counter-attack or pass back to the goalkeeper.
Progression Ideas:
Adding a Time Limit:
To increase the pressure on attackers, add a time limit for the 3v2 situation (e.g., 15 seconds to create a shot on goal or make a meaningful pass).
Introduce Multiple Rounds:
After each attack, the team that was defending switches roles, ensuring that everyone gets time to attack and defend.
Allow for More Attackers:
Add an additional attacker on the field (e.g., 4v2), forcing the defenders to work even harder to prevent a goal. This could be done gradually to increase the challenge.
Goalkeeper Involvement:
The goalkeeper can be involved by playing a ball out to the attackers or even acting as a sweeper when defenders win the ball and transition quickly.