Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Combining in the Attacking 3rd to create goalscoring opportunities (Start Time: 2016-03-20 17:40:00)

Passing Practice

Set Up

Create a 15x25m area and then have the same sized area cross over it (see diagram).

How to play

Each team has a ball and they play at the same time but go in different directions.

- Play always starts with a switch of play from the end players

- Play into player in the middle and combine to play out to the other side

- Middle player stays in the middle and end players follow their pass out to the other side

Progressions

- Limit touches in the middle

- Switch can be made by one of the two players who have just combined

Notes

- Be creative and inventive with movements and when combining

- Support the player on the ball in front and behind

Game Training (25 mins)

Set Up

Use half a pitch Place two mini goals on half way along with extra balls with the coach. Cone off a line 15m inside the half.

Play 9v7

Reds (opposition) play: GK, FB's, CB's, 2x CM

Blue (focus team) play CB, FB's, 3x CM, Wingers, ST

How to Play

The game always starts from the coach and passes to blue. Three of the blue team have to be behind the line at all times (defensive balance in attack).

- Blue try to score a regular goal

- Red score in either mini goal or by getting a player on the ball over the halfway line.

- Blue CB & FB's on 2 touch max - as there is no direct opposition

Team Task

Today is all about our ability to combine in the attacking 3rd to create goal scoring opportunities.

Player tasks

Centre Back (4)

- Look for furthest forward pass whenever possible

- Switch play quickly if you can’t play forward

- Support play from behind

- Ensure defensive balance when we attack so we don’t get countered

Full Backs #2/5

- Be in a position to receive to feet or beyond marker

- Look for furthest forward pass

- Support WF in front or with over/under-lapping run

- Find space in/around the box when ball being delivered

- Recognise when to join the attack or stay for defensive balance

Centre Midfield #6/#8

- Can one central midfielder come short and one move higher

- Look to hurt the opposition with balls in behind their defensive line to attackers

- If we can't attack down one side, find a position where you can quickly switch the ball to the opposite side

- Interchanging movement with other midfielders to create space to receive

- Get into goal scoring positions in and around the opposition penalty area

- Recognise when to join the attack or stay for defensive balance

Attacking Centre Midfielder #10

- Look for early balls through/over the defensive line.

- Get into a position where you can support the ball into forward players in front or behind defensive lines

- If the ST comes short to receive, can you look to get in behind (3rd man running)

- If we can't attack down one side, find a position where you can receive and quickly switch to the opposite side

- Get into goal scoring positions in and around the box whenever possible

Wingers #7/#11

- If the ball is on your side of the pitch can you get into a wide position, if the balls on the opposite side can you find a position to receive centrally?

- Look to receive beyond defenders (between FB and CB). If not, receive to feet in space.

- If there is a set back from the striker, can at least one of us (inc #10) get in position of receive in behind?

- Create space for FB to over-lap/combine around defender

- Dribble effectively to engage defenders in 1v1s

Striker #9

- Can you position yourself high up the pitch to receive or threaten in behind the opposition defence?

- Combine with others in front of the defensive line to get someone beyond the defensive line

- Look to play on the outside shoulder of nearest CB to the ball to create space in front, receive over him or make run in behind him

- If you have no options when you receive the ball, pin and protect until you do. If there is an option 1st time, play it.

- Get into goal scoring positions in and around the opposition penalty area