Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Playing out in a 3-5-2

Pattern 1

Key Factors

- Ball from GK into CB, in front of player, good quality to take a touch and play

- Rotation of movement from MF is key, triggers are important in terms of timing of movement. Movement has to start as the ball is travelling to the CB and needs to be sharp

- Pass from CB must be 'safe-side' into CM as could easily be cut out if played onto the wrong foot. This helps the next pass to be successful and the pattern will break down if not executed correctly

- CM plays ball into WB ideally first time but in 2 touches if needed

- WB should be free on the touchline to either drive forward to create a 2v1 or play a slide ball down the outside of the opposition defence

- Also has the option of passes inside to no10 or opposite CF

What if?

What if the opposition FB presses our WB aggressively and we can't get the ball to them? Ball still goes 'safe-side' to CM and they look to play ball round the corner for CF who drops down into the space vacated by the opposition FB. The no10 and opposite CF need to provide a run in behind the opposition back line to stretch opposition

What if opposition lock on and press high, not allowing us to play out? The GK has the option to clip the ball aerially straight to WB and the attacking pattern can start from here. Detail you would look for is can they clip to WB chest to control or is the WB able to win the header and flick into space down the channel if opposition FB goes to win the header against them.

Pattern 3

Start positions same as last pattern

- Ball into opposite CB

- CDM moves out into wider area

- CM who started in the 10, drops down to receive the ball

- CM receive on half turn and look to switch play either to overlapping CB or straight to WB

- CM can also look to break line into no10 who moves between units

- Ball can then be slid down the side of the opposition defence or no10 can look to slide through to opposite CF

What if pass into CM is not on as being tracked well by opposition CM? The diagonal switch could be on directly to WB or CF could drop down into half-space and clip into them to turn and play out to WB