Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Combination Play in Middle 3rd

Phase of Play (25 mins)

Reds Formation(Attacking team): 1-5-2 (Point up) 1-CB, 2-CDMs, 2-WBs, 1-CAM, 2-STs

Blues Formation(Defending team): 1-4-3-1 1-GK, 2-CBs 2-FBs, 3-CMs, 1-CAMs (Blues also have to target players)

Practice begins with the Red's CB picking up the ball as feeder before joining the play (progressions can be starting as a throw in)

Reds look to combine play in the middle 3rd to create gaps in the blue's shape to expliot with penetrating pass into the attacking 3rd leading to a goal scoring chance.

Blues look to stay in shape & win possession and get the ball into a target player.

If the ball goes out of play from the sides restart as a throw in.

If the ball goes out at the byeline play will restart from the Red's CB.

Progression:

- Blues defensive line can drop back.

- Whichever blue player makes the pass into target player swaps roles. (Reds can restart straight away to look to exploit the overload that is created by this)

Key Factors:

- Players must look to NOT be on a parrell line with team mate

- Create overloads in the area of where the ball (Triangles/Diamonds)

- Quick Combination play

- Movement off the ball (before, during and after the pass)

- Recognise when a gap in blue's lines of defence to exploit with a penetrative pass through or into a team mate that's dropped into the space.

- Switching Play? (if you can't go forward, can you switch play to someone who can play forward)

Coaching Detail:

Primary Players:(CDMs, CAM, WBs)

- Check Shoulder (is there time to turn or flick the ball around the corner for a team mate)

- Open body when receiving the ball ready for the next pass in the play.

- Look for the right moment play a penetrative pass for team mate to run onto or whom has dropped into the half-space to get on the ball.

Secondary Players:(CAM, WBs, STs)

- Angle of support around the ball.

- Double shuffle to create space to receive the ball or drag the defender out to get inbehind.

- Bounce Pass to set team mate for pass or shot at goal.

Tertiary Players:(STs, WBs)

- Shift wide to stretch defending team's FBs

- Pull off deep to force the back line to drop creating spaces inbetween the lines

- Look to make runs inbehind the defenders.