Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Creating Overloads in Central Areas In The Final Third

Screen 1 (15 mins)

Key Factors

• 5v5
• Width of the 18 yard box/40m long.
• Ball starts with the blue goalkeeper and they always play into the deepest blue midfielder.
• Blues keep possession until they see a chance to create an overload and they aim to utilise this to score.
• If reds win it back, they have 10 seconds to score a quick counter attack in the blue defending goal. 
• No time limit. 
• Play until all 6 footballs have been used. 
• Blues:
• On the ball: Aim to score by creating overloads in central areas. 
• Look to play through or around the opposition to create overloads. 
• Look to rotate and move the opposition around the pitch.
• Reds: 
• Defend the goal and upon regaining possession they have 10 seconds to score mirroring a quick counter attack.
• Off the ball: Stay narrow and compact, show the opponents towards the line (use as an extra defender).

Organisation

• 5 Blues, 4 outfielders and 1 goalkeeper. 
• 5 Reds, 4 outfielders and 1 goalkeeper. 
• Blue Tactical Shape: 3-1 (Mirroring a 4-3-3)
• Red Tactical Shape: 2-2 (Mirroring a 4-4-2)

6 Footballs

4 Footballs start with the blue team next to the goal.

2 Footballs with the reds next to the goal. 

2 Footballs with the reds to maintain motivation levels so they have a chance of creating a chance, if the blues win it back in this scenario then they play to create overloads as usual.

Progression: Add in this challenge: Play 6 footballs. 

1 point for each time the blues score

1 point for the reds if they win it back and score. 

Losing team after 6 footballs faces a forfeit.

Encourages the physical pillar and players giving 100% to win.

 Regression: Reds can only tackle after 3 passes are made. 

Before free play, show starting positions on a whiteboard to each team separately. 

Blues: 

No6 = To either side of the goalkeeper ready to receive. 

No 8/10 = Start wide and beyond their opposite number. 

No 9 = Start high and on the shoulder of the last defender.

Reds: Narrow and compact in their defensive two's. 

- Change coaching position during free play to see different angles.

Starting coaching position = Next to goal to see how the starting positions of each player and the first touch of the no.6 affect the number 6's passing options. 

6 into 9.

Key Factors

- Whilst reds reset the footballs, show the blues this on a tactics board. 

Scenario 2 - The opposition have read the last scenario, what now? 

If the opposition midfielders are wider and locked onto the 8 and 10: 

• The number 6 takes a positive first touch forward into the space using the outside of his foot.
• The number 6 plays with their head up and recognises that no opposing defender has come towards the ball so he takes another touch into the space.
• This extra touch has drawn pressure from one opposing defender (look to play down this side).
• This triggers the number 9 to pin the opposing centre half on that side. 
• The number 6 passes into the 9 who receives the ball on his safe side. 
• The 9 can turn and shoot, set the ball back to the 6, or play the 10 in with a reverse pass. 
• The number 8 sprints across the furthest defender and forward towards the back post.
• Number 6 requires good ball speed with a firm pass using the inside or the laces of his foot. This ensures that the number 9 is more likely to receive the pass and reduce the chances of it being cut out.

Details for the number 9:

Their movement is as they see the opposing midfielder put pressure on the ball. 

To pin the defender they should be side on so they are putting their body in front of them and the ball.

Use one arm to feel the defender and emphasise putting their body in between them and the ball by getting in a lower position - receive safe side (right foot).

Receive with the sole as its difficult for the defenders to see which way the 9 will turn.

If passing the ball into the 10, the 9 can take a touch back towards the pressure whilst pinning the defender - drawing both the centre back and the centre midfielder towards the ball. 

The 9 will have to wrap their right foot around the ball to pass with their laces to the number 10 making the 3rd man run. The pass should be in front of them so they are able to receive it in their stride. 

Around the ball: 

The 8 and 10 start with their hips open beyond their opponent ready to receive the ball on their back foot. 

As soon as the 9 is receiving the ball, that triggers the movements from the 8 and 10. 

The number 10 runs forward and looks to receive the ball from a reverse pass from the number 9. 

The number 8 makes a diagonal run towards the back post ready for any cross that may come in. This run is diagonal so they can get past the furthest centre half and be in a good position for a tap in at the back post. 

Organisation