Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Counter Attacking from wide areas

(PDP) Counter Attacking from wide areas

Practice organisation

• Full pitch including goals, with three 10x10yd boxes:

two in wide positions, one in centre circle, as illustrated.

• 22 players (incl. 2GKs), divided into 2 teams of 11, 2 balls.

• Players arranged 3v1 in each wide box , with 2v2 in centre.

• 1v1 outside each penalty area (approx. 25yds from goal) & 2

players from each team by goals ready to rotate into practice.

• Practice starts with: 3v1 in each wide box, with players keeping

possession whilst looking for passing opportunity into striker.

• Once ball is played to striker: 2 players break from box to support,

creating 3v1 to produce a strike at goal.

• 2 players from centre circle move into wide box to balance numbers

& renew 3v1.

• If D’s win possession, ball is transferred (unopposed) to either wide

box to continue practice.

• MF’s recover to centre circle.

• A & D alternate with 2 end players waiting by goal after each attack.

Detail

• Movement to support Striker & maintain momentum of attack

through support from side, behind or beyond.

• Remaining on-side.

• Finishing skills involving Striker & MF’s.

• Building crossing & finishing opportunities with numerical advantage.

• Simple progressions for this practice are:

- D’s send player back from wide box to challenge

2 breaking players (& create a 3v2).

- Limit 1 breaking player to support Striker (& create 2v1).

Key coaching points

• Striker adjusts position to be in range of quality passes from

wide box.

• Timing of movement to receive exit pass.

• Recognition of action required on first touch (hold-up or release to

support player)

• Execution of link-up play & actions after releasing ball to

support player.

• Striker looking for opportunity to turn D to threaten goal or play

through pass to running MF player.

• Observation of opportunity to play ball forward from box.

• Nature & quality of pass from wide box.

• Execution of forward passing