Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Attacking Principals - Creating and Finishing

Screen 1 (5 mins)

Each line of players alternates the sequence illustrated. Players to follow their pass.

Looking for players to receive to forward in the sequence at all times. Through ball to finish should be weighted so that the player shooting does not need to break stride.

2 v 1 Attacking Principals (10 mins)

Set up the practice, with 3 groups of one Striker against a Centre Back (one playing, 2 resting). Also, there is a Goalkeeper, Midfielder and resting Defenders on the halfway line.

The ball starts with a player on the halfway line (Midfielder), who begins the practice by running with the ball to attack the goal in a 2v1 situation with the objective of scoring.

If the Defender wins the ball or the Goalkeeper saves and holds it, the Defenders must look to play to the opposite Goalkeeper for one goal. If this is successful, the practice continues with a 2v1 in the outfield area with the same players.

Rotate players and groups every 3 reps.

Objectives

1. Width - The Striker needs to pull off to one side with the hope of creating space for themselves.Strikers need to be in line with defender and on the outside.

Player tasks: Strikers/wingers can they be in line with defender and on the outside.

2. Support - If no direct line to goal, stirker can support midfielder by dropping in next to him/her to create an open ball.

Player task: can you find the ball facing forward.

3. Improvisation - If in 1v1 situations, players need to be creative with their passing, movement and dribbling to create an open ball opportunity.

4. Penetration - As often as quickly as possible, the players need to penetrate with the defensive line using their first touch, passing, or dribbling.

4v3 (15 mins)

Set up the practice, with one Striker, two Wingers and one Midfielder against two Centres Back and a Defensive Centre Midfielder. Also, there is a Goalkeeper on the halfway line with Defenders resting behind. Rotate Defenders and Attackers ever 3 reps.

The Goalkeeper in the goal starts with the ball and plays a long pass to the Midfielder close to the halfway line.

Once receiving, the Attacking team attacks 4v3. If the Defender wins the ball or the Goalkeeper saves and holds it, the Defenders must look to play to the opposite Goalkeeper for one goal. If this is successful, the practice continues with a 4v3 in the outfield area with the same players, continuing the game.

Objectives

1. Width - The Striker needs to pull off to one side with the hope of creating space for themselves. 

Player tasks: Strikers/wingers can they be in line with defender and on the outside.

2. Support - If no direct line to goal, stirker can support midfielder by dropping in next to him/her to create an open ball.

Player task: can you find the ball facing forward.

3. Improvisation - If in 1v1 situations, players need to be creative with their passing, movement and dribbling to create an open ball opportunity.

4. Penetration - As often as quickly as possible, the players need to penetrate with the defensive line using their first touch, passing, or dribbling.

5. Mobility - Can a situation be exploited where the point of attack can be made to find 3rd attacker (mobility) on the far side of the pitch

Player task: Goals from overloads or direct switches of play count as 2 goals.