Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B Creating & Exploiting Overloads Session 2 (In-Possession)

Specific Practice:

PART 1: SPECIFIC PRACTICE (10 mins) 

Objective: 

Build from the GK against a compact low block and create overloads through middle or out wide 

Set Up Area:

Half pitch (55x40 yards) 

Shape: 4-2-1 for both teams (mirrors 4-4-2 principles) 

Red Team 8-player lineup consists of a GK, CB, LW (Left Winger), RW (Right Winger), an attacking CM, a box-to-box CM, a CDM (Defensive Midfielder), and a STs (Striker) 

Blue team's 7 players include a GK, LB (Left Back), RB (Right Back), two CBs (Central Defenders), and two CMs (Central Midfielders), for the Specific then a number 10 gets added for the SSG 

1 full-size goal (attacking Creating Overloads), 2 mini goals on halfway line (defensive counter) 

Start Point: From GK every time in the Specific Practice 

Structure: 

2-min walkthrough 2 x 4-min blocks 

Overload Targets: 2v1 Wide: Winger + CM/LW/RW 3v2 Central: CDM + CM + AM vs 2 CMs 

Conditions: Build must begin with short GK distribution 

Ball must enter wide third before a shot Only one defender presses in wide third Bonus goal: 

3+ passes before shot, or overload success 

If defending team get it have 10 sec to score 

Problem 1: Full-back aggressively presses winger Blue Team create a 1v1 early and isolate our winger. 

Solution 1: AM or CM supports quickly to create 2v1 overload wide. 

Solution 2: CDM or CM switches play early to opposite wing. 

Coaching Cue: “Who joins wide?” / “Can we switch before they engage?”

Welsh FA Principles: 

Support, Width What If / Interventions:

Freeze and replay 2v1 pattern, 

Add neutral AM/CM as "bounce" in wide zone. 

Problem 2: CMs screen central passes and block AM/CDM Blue Team cut central lines and force play wide or backwards. 

Solution 1: Use ST to drop in and overload central zone (create 3v2) 

Solution 2: Combine short, then go wide with underlap/overlap into space 

Coaching Cue: “Find the 3v2 inside.” / “Draw them in, then escape. 

Welsh FA Principles: Penetration, Mobility 

Problem 3: Wide player receives with back to goal and pressure tight

Winger struggles to turn or combine due to tight marking and limited space.

Solution: Encourage early movement from overlapping CM or full-back (in 11v11 picture) to offer a forward passing lane or third-man run.

Coaching Cue: “Don’t fight the pressure — bounce and spin.”
Welsh FA Principle: Improvisation

Walk through ST dropping and AM rotating around him. Condition: Must connect with CDM or AM before entering final third. 

WHAT IFS: What if AM/CM is too slow to support? → Freeze, replay and coach timing of runs. 

What if switch pass is intercepted? → Emphasize better communication and movement off the ball. 

What if defender doubles on winger? → Use quick combination or pass back to CDM for reset 

What if defenders stay compact? → Use quick one-touch passing to shift them out of position 

What if STs get isolated? → Encourage dropping deeper or switching wide for space. 

What if overload doesn’t form? → Freeze and reset with guided walk-through

Reflections

Coaching Practice Review and Reflection

• What things stood out for you during the session that need to be reflected on?

• What did you do well in the session?

• Why did these good things happen?

• What impact did you have on the achievement of the objectives?

• What do you need to do more of to improve your performance next time?

• How will this help improve your performance?

• What have you learnt about yourself and your coaching?

• What have you learnt about the session and/or your players?

• How will you be better next time?