The Gaffer’s Office

The rules - - The practice starts from the GK every time the ball is dead - REDS score 1 point for a goal in the mini-goals, 2 points if it's an assist or goal from a midfielder - BLACKS score 1 point if they score, 2 points if they score within 7 seconds of winning the ball

Intended outcomes - - We are trying to coach Liverpool to problem solve Southampton's build up and provide a solution on how they will win the ball high - Southampton are set up how they would in a match and are incentivised to play through the midfield like they normally would

Why are Southampton incentivised to play through the midfielders? - We want to incentivise them to play inside as it's what they do in matches, so if Liverpool's players can see the problems Southampton present in training, they will recognise it and be ready for the match.

In the images below you can see Southampton look to pass in to midfield but can't as the player is man marked, so they play back to bait Liverpool to press higher, so the Southampton players can lose their markers, then as they have some space they play the risky pass inside.

The solutions - Liverpool also have an incentive to score within 7 seconds of winning the ball which will mean they will want to press high with aggression which is what Southampton will expect from them. At the start of the drill the reds will get a lot of success,

as they have a plan to play inside to get 2 points, but this is good as it will force the Liverpool players to think about how to stop it and try to work out there plan.

Coaching Points - Now during breaks between the sets Slot will be able to coach his side and here are some of the points he will hint at to help guide his team. 1. Splitting the centre-backs Which ever side the ball goes the player ball side in the front 2 will hook their run

in to out, this will split the centre-backs leaving the opposite centre-back and the GK in there pressing shadow and forcing the play to stay on that side.

2. Wingers blocking off the mini-goals The wingers when pressing the full-backs will have to hook there run so they can block off the pass to the mini-goals. If they run straight across a quick pass or touch into the space could result in a goal.

3. The midfielders stay close ready to jump We want our midfielders to stay close for the pressing trap to work as we want to invite the pass in to the midfielders just so they think they can receive the ball but we want our player to be ready and dynamic so they can jump

and press to challenge and win the ball. This is how the session is designed as we want the reds to play inside as they would in game but then we want the blacks to realise this and use it against them to set a pressing trap to jump the passes they know will happen and attack.

Then we also incentivise our game model of winning the ball high and transitioning quick to score from our press. Physical load - - High intensity - Working on endurance - MD -4 Time Management - - 4 sets - 6 minutes ball rolling time - 3 minute rest in between

I hope this helps someone and you enjoyed reading this, let me know your thoughts and what you agree and disagree with, thanks!

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