Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Creating and Exploiting Overloads (Start Time: 2024-11-04 16:30:00)

FAW Coach Ed

Jun Chan

Profile Summary

Name:	Jun Chan
City:	Pontypridd
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

Interface Language

Share this Session

Link Session

Build 3D sessions in seconds

Access to 1000’s of sessions

Professionalise and modernise your coaching

Used by the world’s best coaches

US$

per year

Join today

Description

Session Title: Creating and Exploiting Overloads

Learning Objectives (Outcomes)

Specific Practice Outcome: Players will recognize the spare player and execute quick passing sequences to exploit the overload.
Small-Sided Game Outcome: Players will demonstrate effective movement (interchange positions) and decision-making to commit defenders, thus creating space for overloads.
Specific Practice into SSG Outcome: Players will apply the principles of quick ball speed, timing of runs, and committing the opponent to create goal-scoring opportunities.

Session Duration (Total: 1 hour)

Specific Practice: 20 minutes (2 blocks of 9 minutes + 1 minute rest in between)
Small-Sided Game (SSG): 20 minutes (2 blocks of 9 minutes + 1 minute rest in between)
Specific Practice into SSG: 20 minutes (2 blocks of 9 minutes + 1 minute rest in between)

Age Group: Under 17

Number of Players: 14 players

In Possession Team (7 players): LB, RB, LM, RM, LW, RW, ST
(GK, LCB, RCB, CDM are withdrawn)
Formation: 4-3-3 (adapted due to withdrawn players)
Out of Possession Team (7 players): GK, LB, LCB, RCB, RB, LCM, RCM
(LST, RST, LW, RW are withdrawn)
Formation: 4-4-2 (adapted due to withdrawn players)

Pitch Area: Half Pitch

Big Goal for Out of Possession Team (defending team)
Two Small Mini Goals placed on the halfway line for In Possession Team (attacking team)

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): specific practice

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

specific practice (20 mins)

Practice Explanation

The in-possession team starts with the ball in the centre circle.
The objective is to progress the ball into the final third while exploiting overloads.
The out-of-possession team aims to regain the ball and quickly counter into the two mini goals on the halfway line.

Challenges, Conditions, or Targets (Short Sentences)

Challenge: Find the spare player in each attacking wave.
Condition: At least one forward pass must be played through midfield before attacking the final third.
Target: Score within five passes to encourage quick ball movement.

Player Roles & Responsibilities (Examples)

In Possession LB: Stays wide and slightly advanced from halfway line. Looks to receive and combine with LW.
In Possession RB: Mirrors LB but on the right side. Looks to overlap or underlap around RW.
In Possession LM & RM: Move in pockets between opposition midfield and defensive lines to offer passing options.
In Possession LW & RW: Stay high and wide initially. Make diagonal runs inside to create overload with ST.
In Possession ST: Drops into midfield at times to create a numerical advantage; looks to combine with LM/RM.
Out of Possession GK: Organizes defenders and covers space behind defensive line.
Out of Possession LB & RB: Press wide areas when ball moves to corresponding winger.
Out of Possession LCB & RCB: Stay compact, protect central areas. Track ST runs.
Out of Possession LCM & RCM: Apply pressure in central midfield. Deny through passes.

Two Key Strategies for Creative Attack (In Possession)

Overlap Overload Strategy
RB overlaps RW once the ball moves wide on the right.
RW drags the opposition LB inside, freeing space for RB.
RM steps higher to support and become the spare player.
LB tucks slightly central to be the pivot pass option if play is switched.
Underlap / Inside Channel Strategy
LM drives inside with the ball from left midfield.
LW stays wide, pinning the out-of-possession RB.
ST shifts to the near post area, dragging defenders away.
RM or LB arrives in the inside channel to receive a reverse pass from LM.
Quick combination through central channel to exploit the 2v1 or 3v2 scenario.

Technical & Tactical Coaching Points

When and How to Exploit Overload: Recognize 2v1, 3v2 opportunities early.
Find the Spare Player: Scan constantly, look for unmarked teammate.
Player Movement to Create Overload: Use overlaps, underlaps, and diagonal runs.
Interchange Positions: ST dropping into midfield, LM/RM pushing forward.
Commit the Opponent: Dribble at defenders to draw them in before releasing the pass.
Ball Speed: Quick, accurate passes to shift defensive shape.

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

specific practice

Coaching Interventions

Freeze: Coach stops play when an obvious 2v1 overload is missed. Highlights correct passing option.
Walkthrough: Coach walks players through the overlap or underlap movements step-by-step.
Concurrent: Provides brief reminders (“Find the spare player!”) during open play.
Bulls-eye: Praises successful execution of overload (e.g., “Excellent underlap pass!”).

Physical Corner

Work-to-rest ratio: 9 minutes work : 1 minute rest (high-intensity intervals).
Energy System: Predominantly anaerobic due to repeated high-intensity sprints and quick changes of direction.

Social Corner

Team Meetings: Brief huddle in each rest interval to discuss successes/challenges.
Captains: Assign mini-unit captains (e.g., LM or RM) to lead problem-solving.
Problem-Solving Tasks: Encourage players to suggest the next attacking move or the best time to underlap.

Psychological Corner

Encourage confidence on the ball (positive mindset).
Promote decision-making under pressure (focus on scanning and composure).

Progressions

Restrict touches (e.g., 2-touch max in midfield) to increase ball speed.
Increase defensive pressure (e.g., out-of-possession team can press higher up).

Regressions

Allow unlimited touches if players struggle.
Increase the pitch width slightly to reduce defensive pressure

Feedback Strategies

During: Immediate, specific feedback (“Great movement to create the overload.”).
After: Group reflection on how/where overloads were successful, referencing key moments in the practice.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): LSG

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

LSG (20 mins)

Organisation

Same half-pitch setup.

Teams: 7v7.

In Possession Team attacks the large goal, Out of Possession Team aims to score in the two mini goals on the halfway line if they regain possession.

Block Structure

Block 1 (9 minutes) → 1 minute rest → Block 2 (9 minutes)

Conditions, Challenges, or Targets (Short Sentences)

Condition: In-possession team must include at least one overlap before shooting.
Challenge: Each player to have at least one forward pass or forward run during each possession phase.
Target: Score within 8 seconds of entering the final third.

Roles & Responsibilities

In Possession: Continue using wide channels and central overloads.
Out of Possession: If the ball is won, transition quickly into mini goals.

Technical & Tactical Coaching Points

Overload Recognition: Identify potential 2v1 or 3v2.
Spare Player: Constant scanning.
Ball Speed: Swift circulation to unbalance the defense.
Positioning: Maintain width and depth to stretch defenders.

Coaching Interventions

Freeze for missed scoring opportunity due to slow ball circulation.
Concurrent instruction to remind players about quick transitions.
Walkthrough if players fail to see the wide overload.

Physical Corner

High-intensity bursts in SSG fosters anaerobic capacity.
9:1 work-to-rest ratio to mimic match demands.

Social Corner

Continue mini-leadership roles (e.g., the ST organizes attacking press).
Encourage group problem-solving in short intervals.

Psychological Corner

Build resilience: encourage players to remain calm when losing possession.
Positive reinforcement for attempts to create overloads.

Progressions

Reduce time to score (e.g., 6 seconds) after crossing the halfway line.
Add a neutral player (floater) to help in-possession if needed.

Regressions

Remove time constraint if players struggle to build attacks.
Allow out-of-possession team fewer players pressing the ball.

Feedback Strategies

During: Reinforce correct application of overload principles.
After: Collective discussion on successful overloads leading to goals.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): SP into LSG

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

SP into LSG (20 mins)

Organisation

Combine the pattern of play from the Specific Practice with the SSG principles.

Ball always restarts from the centre circle with the in-possession team.

Once a pattern of play (overload move) is executed, teams continue into a live SSG to the big goal or mini goals.

Block Structure

Block 1 (9 minutes) → 1 minute rest → Block 2 (9 minutes)

Conditions, Challenges, or Targets (Short Sentences)

Condition: Practice must begin with a set overload pattern (e.g., an underlap or overlap) before going live.
Challenge: Attempt at least two switch-of-play moves in each block.
Target: Score from an overload situation at least once per block.

Players’ Roles & Responsibilities

In Possession: Initiate rehearsed patterns (overlap or underlap). Once triggered, free play continues.
Out of Possession: Defend actively. If ball is won, counter quickly into the mini goals.

Technical & Tactical Coaching Points

Overload Setup: Quick movement off the ball to create numerical advantage.
Timing: Execute overlap/underlap at the right moment.
Combination Play: One-two passes, wall passes to break lines.
Forward Runs: Penetrate behind defenders once they are committed.

Coaching Interventions

Freeze: Highlight correct or incorrect timing of overlap.
Bulls-eye: Immediately praise successful overload leading to goal.
Walkthrough: If players are confused on positioning after the pattern.

Physical Corner

Same 9:1 ratio.
Emphasis on repeated sprint ability (anaerobic power).

Social Corner

Short team huddles to reinforce responsibilities.
Encourage vocal communication to organize overload movements.

Psychological Corner

Support risk-taking in attempting creative passes.
Maintain confidence and composure when faced with high-pressure defending.

Progressions

Limit touches or require first-time finishing in the final third.
Allow the out-of-possession team to press higher from the start.

Regressions

Provide more space (widen the half-pitch) if too crowded.
Permit more time on the ball initially to develop confidence.

Feedback Strategies

During: Immediate praise for correct moves. Corrections for poor timing.
After: Team debrief on how effectively the pattern of play transitions into open LSG situations.

Build 3D sessions in seconds

Access to 1000’s of sessions

Professionalise and modernise your coaching

Used by the world’s best coaches

US$

per year

Join today