Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): UTILISING THE HALF SPACE & IN-BETWEEN THE LINES

CREATING ANGLES TO PENETRATE

CREATING ANGLES TO PENETRATE

AIM: The most effective through-balls do not travel directly towards goal but are instead played at an angle, therefore we are promoting the use of the angled through-ball or angled runs to receive a through-ball to improve our penetration behind the defensive line.

FUNCTION

• Playing area to suit ability and number of players... Here we have 7v7 playing on a 30m x 30m central area with two 5m end-zones.
• The green vertical centre line divides the pitch from end to end as is the reference point for creating angled passes or runs. 
• 7v7 directional game, with each team attacking towards one end-zone each.
• Players look to dribble into or receive a through-ball in the end-zone.
• The 'red' end line before the end-zone acts as an offside line.
• Possession team scores more if the pass or run into the end-zone crosses the green vertical central line.   
• Scoring = A pass or run into the end-zone that crosses the green central line 3 points; any other kind of through-ball into the end-zone 2 points;  dribble into end-zone 1 point.

In the first animation we see Blue score 3 points by playing a through-ball across the green central line to a runner in the end-zone, and in the second animation we see Blue score 3 points by a player making an angled run across the green central line to receive a ball in the end-zone. 

COACHING DETAIL

Making the Run

• Timing is everything, and a run in behind should only be made when the player on the ball, or receiving it, is in a position to immediately play a through-ball.
• A cue for the runner is often a player making a short dribble or receiving a sideways pass, as these give the player passing the best view of the pitch.
• Identify the space to attack and make the run before the pass is played.
• Blind-side runs... can you position to take advantage of the blind side run? Can you position to see the number on the back of your defenders shirt, if so you will have an opportunity to start your movement before the defender realises and reacts.

• Early through-balls... the first couple of seconds of the possession are most effective, as they are played before the defensive team has time to organise (if not on be patient and retain possession).
• Passing player see the space, and see the runner.
• What is the best pass to make... straight ball for angled run, angled ball for straight run.
• Weight of the pass crucial.
• The attacking team should look to pair diagonal runs with straight passes or straight passes with diagonal runs, using the green central line as a reference.

TARGET BETWEEN THE LINES

TARGET BETWEEN THE LINES

AIM: We aim to improve our penetration to score through the use of a player occupying space in between the lines.

OBJECTIVE

• To play through the #10 player positioned between the lines, and to score in one of the two small goals.

FUNCTION

• Playing area to suit ability and number of players, make bigger or smaller as required.
• Playing area of 41m x 30m, split into 5 zones... two x 10m end zones, two x 3m in between the line zones, and one x 15m central zone.   
• 2 x small goals at each end.
• Here we have 7v7, play starts from one end with the defender at that end playing a free pass to a teammate in the central zone.  Possession team must play through the #10 before they can score.
• When the #10 receives the ball they can dribble or pass into the end zone. 
• Once the #10 receives the ball the end zone has no restriction on who may enter it. 
• If #10 plays back underneath the ball must still transition through #10 to progress to the end zone. 
• Each team has one defender and one attacker locked in to each end zone, and 4v4 in the central area. 
• The defending player, here #4, will initially face a 2v1 scenario and will have to defend accordingly, press to win the ball , press and direct, cover the #9 awaiting defensive support etc. 
• 1 point for any goal.

PROGERSSION

(1) Possession team can now play directly to the #9, however they must play back underneath to the #10 or back into the central area.

(2) Possession team #10 can now receive and play back underneath, the receiving player can then play through to the #9 (up-back-through) triggering an 'open attack' (no restrictions on who can enter the attacking area).

... You could also allow the player receiving the pass underneath from the #10 to then play a sideways pass to a supporting player, who can then play a pass to the #9 triggering an 'open attack' (this would simulate the use of the half-space). 

Aim - We are trying to LIFT THE TEMPO as soon as the #9 receives the ball through one/two touch football, give and go, and early explosive attacking runs.

COACHING DETAIL

• #10 must attempt to get continuous clear line of sight with the player on the ball to ensure passing lanes available to them.
• Create 2v1 between #10 and #9 against #4.  To make this effective, once the ball is played to the #9 (or #10 dribbles into the attacking area), it must be done at speed to negate the recovering runs of opposition players.
• Identify the space to attack and make the run before the pass is played.
• Blind-side runs... can supporting attacking runners position to take advantage of the blind side run? Can you position to see the number on the back of your defenders shirt, if so you will have an opportunity to start your movement before the defender realises and reacts.