Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B - Session 14 - Attacking in the Final Third

SSG - Attacking into Final Third using Creativity

Players:

Red Team - Attacking (3-4-2-1)

Removed 2 FBs and 1 CM

Blue Team - Defending (4-4-2)

Removed 2 Stikers and 1 CM

Timings: 

2 x 4min Blocks of Work 

1min Halftime Terminal Intervention

1min Fulltime Terminal Intervention

Framing + Explanation: 

The Reds are attacking using a 3-4-2-1 to penetrate the blues 4-4-2 low block defensive shape. Their target is to use creativity to play the ball into the final third and create scoring opportunities. In this SSG they have 1 less centremid however they still have players between the lines to create scoring opportunities.

The Blues are defending as a 4-4-2 and are using a low block to provent the reds from playing into the final third. They are one centremid down so will need to communicate effectiveely to slife across and defend the line. As there are players playing between the lines they will need to communicate effectively and nominate what player will be released to defend the half space if the ball is played there.

Goalkicks and throw-ins will take place as normal. 3 red attackers must stay inside the red line and can only come out if they are specifically rotating with another red as part of a creative attack.

Coaching Problem:

REDS - Be creative in attacking into the final third

Blues are defending using a low block therefore we must be creative in find ways to play through, around or over them into the final third. Things to consider are - third man runs from wingers, rotations between #6 and #8/#10/#9, and playing over the top into the danger zone to #9 who sets for #8/#10.

BLUES - Defend centrally using a low block

As the reds will try to play thrugh, around and over into the final third it will be important to stay narrow and compact to defend the through ball, considering releasing a CB to defend the half space if necessary. It will be equally important to defend the third man runs from wingers - fullbacks picking up the runner. Centremid #8 needs to be aware of the rotations in the middle and communicate with CB if help is needed to defend their diamond. 

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Condition -

The corners are tapered to replace the fullbacks on the red team.

The red line marks the Final Third for the Red Team - the #8, #9 and #10 must remain inside these lines (unless they are rotating with another player as part of their 'creative' attack, but the rest of the reds can cross in/out of the final third as desired. Blues can roam freely around the pitch.

Challenge -

BLUE - Can you protect the same between and behind the lines? Can you force the ball out wide to force reds to play predictable balls?

RED - Can you break a 4-4-2 (4-3 in this SSG) low block using your 4-2-1 (3-2-1 in this SSG) attacking shape? an you use disguised runs, third-man runs into the final third, and rotations to creatively attack in the final third? Can you take risks to create scoring opportunities?

Target -

BLUES

Prevent the Reds from entering the final third for 10sec = 1 goal 

Intercept an attack in final third and transition to score = 2 goals

REDS

Creative play that starts outside and moves inside final third that leads to a scoring chance = 2 goals

Creative play not outlined by the coach (even if not scored) = 1 goal