Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Support Play in the Midfield and Final Third

Practice PT1

The blues are set up in a 4-1-1 formation attacking the goal. The reds are set up in a 3-3/4 formation with a Target Player at the opposite end.

To score the reds must make 5 passes, 3 of which must be in midfield before the ball can be played to their Target Player (position as a CDM/CAM/ST to work on movement & linking passes). Once a goal is scored the ball is played to the blues who look to play through their #10/9 before 2 midfielders can break to make a 4v3 in the attacking third. The #9/10 have the opportunity to drop in to a safe zone where they have a free touch of the ball before they can be pressed. This may allow them to set the ball back to a CM, play square to an oncoming RW/LW or turn and attack the goal.

Emphasis should be on clever rotations of position and movement of supporting RW/LW/CM whilst ensuring defensive security is maintained. See Screen 2.

Progression

The Target Player is now removed and the middle section is increased. Each End Zone is set up 2v1 and the Central Zone has the remaining players. There is a minimum of 3 passes before the ball can be played into an End Zone and this can either be played to the #9 or a through ball to a midfield runner, to encourage movement of #9 a goal = 3 points if the ball is played through them to start the attack. Once the ball is in attack the team can overload 3v2. Progress accordingly.