Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Creating & Exploiting Overloads

Screen 1 (15 mins)

The Game

• Red Team: Attacking team (4x Def + GK, 3x Midfielders & 1x Forward)
• Red Team Formation: 3-2-2-1 with the RB (2) rolling into midfield (pivot) to create a central overload
• Blue Team: Defending team (1x Def, 3x Midfielders & 3x Forwards)
• Blue Team Formation: 1-3-3 aim to protect central areas
• Ball starts with GK from a goal kick who must play short to either CB (5 or 6)
• Red Team must look to:
  • Move to create numerical overload (2) moves into midfield
  • Draw pressure towards the ball by staying on the ball (5&6) and only passing when opposed (where necessary) or dribbling at players to commit them
  • Switch the point of attack to move opposition to find the "spare player"
  • Provide support to combine central or in wide triangles (4&2)
  • Disrupt defending team using interchanging movements (8 & 7) roll out to create space to play into (9) and provide support under the ball to progress forward
  • (9) must remain within the white zone until session progresses
  • Score in Mini Goal (1 Point)

• Blue Team must look to:
  • Press the ball
  • Show away from goal
  • Stay compact
  • (5) must stay within white zone until sessions progresses
  • Counterattack on winning possession and try to score (1 point)

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Condition 1: Play must start from the GK.

Condition 2: 8 second time limit to attack to encourage speed.

Condition 3: (9/5) must stay within the white zone

Challenge 1: Can you try to combine centrally before trying to score. (2 points)

Challenge 2: Can you play into target player (9) before shooting. (2 points)

Target: Score into the mini goals

Key Coaching Points

1️⃣ When & How to Exploit Overloads

• Recognise when to attack: When a defender is drawn out or an overload is created.
• Ball speed: Move quickly before the opposition regains balance. Slow it down when you are trying to attract pressure
• Numerical advantage: Use bounce passes & third-man runs to play through.

2️⃣ Finding the Spare Player

• Rotate & scan to find the extra player.
• Encourage quick link-up play and forward passes.
• Can full-back (2) or midfielder (8/7) receive in space?

3️⃣ Interchanging Positions

• Full back (2) rolls into midfield to create central overload.
• Encourage midfield pivots (2/4) to play in gates to receive.
• Encourage attackers (8/7/9) to be fluid while maintaining balance.

4️⃣ Committing the Opponent

• Dribble into space to engage defenders before passing.
• Encourage quick combinations (1-2s,third-man runs)