Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U12-U16 Creating wide overloads
Coaches' Voice
Tony Hodson
Description
This is a session designed to improve players' ability to create wide overloads
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
15 mins
Topic
- Creating wide overloads
PRINCIPLE
- Wide rotations to create a 2v1
TIME
- 3 x 5-minute blocks
PLAYERs
- 14 plus 1 goalkeeper
space/equipment
- Final third of a full-size pitch/Balls, 1 full-size goal, 2 mini-goals
DESCRIPTION
This practice takes place in the final third of the pitch. There is a full-sized goal and goalkeeper at one end; at the other, two target mini-goals are placed five metres from the touchline, as shown in the animation.
The attacking team – the white team in the animation – is set up in a 4-1-3 formation. The defending team (orange) is set up with four defenders and two central midfielders.
- The practice begins with the ball being played into one of the attacking team’s defensive midfielders.
The defending team’s midfielders are free to move wherever they like as they defend the box.
- The white team’s full-backs can only join the attack once both wingers have touched the ball.
- The four orange defenders aim to defend the box and clear any crosses played in. The midfielders cannot enter the penalty area.
- If the orange team wins the ball, they attempt to counter-attack and score into one of the target mini-goals.
PROGRESSIONs
- The coach can progress the practice by allowing one orange midfielder to drop into the box to defend crosses.
Alternatively, they can change the defending team’s shape to create different challenges for the white.
Coaching Points
- Winger rolling inside: Wingers should be encouraged to roll inside when there is space to do so. The timing of this movement is extremely important. Rolling inside when the ball looks like it is about to be switched allows the full-back to overlap and provide the attacking team’s width. This should create a 2v1 situation out wide. If the number 10 is playing in the half-space, there will be no space for the winger to roll inside and they should hold the team’s width.
- Runs in behind (third-man runs): Players should be encouraged to make runs in behind during this practice. Once a wide combination is taking place, a player who is not involved in the combination should look to identify the moment when they should make their move. The timing of these runs will be important, both to catch the opposition out and in remaining onside
- Cross detail: Crosses should be made to a high standard. Players should have an understanding of the type of cross they should use in different scenarios. These crosses can either be made into space or aim to pick out a specific player. Crosses should be played with pace in order to evade defenders, and with accuracy to allow the finishing player to shoot off one touch if possible.
- Finishing: Players should be encouraged to aim their shots towards the corners of the goal, prioritising accuracy over power. Finishes should be made using the pace of the cross to guide the ball into the corner of the goal. Body shape when finishing is very important: players should keep their body over the ball to keep it down.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
15 mins
Topic
- Creating wide overloads
PRINCIPLE
- Wide rotations to create a 2v1
TIME
- 3 x 5-minute blocks
PLAYERs
- 16 plus 1 goalkeeper
space/equipment
- 50 x 70 yards/Balls, flat markers, 1 full-size goal
DESCRIPTION
This is a position-specific, building-play practice played on three-quarters of a pitch.
The pitch is split into five vertical lanes. Lines are marked out in line with the width of the 18-yard box and the six-yard box.
- Two mini-goals are placed on the halfway line in channel three. The corners of the pitch are zoned off, as shown in the animation.
The in-possession team – white in the animation – is made up of two full-backs, three midfielders, two wingers and one striker. The out-of-possession team (orange) is made up of four defenders and four midfielders.
- The ball starts with a server (the coach) playing the ball into a white midfielder. This team attempts to play and score in the opponents’ goal. They should try to ensure they only ever have one player in each of Lanes 1, 2, 4 and 5, to encourage rotations out wide.
- If the oranges manage to win possession, they attempt to counter-attack quickly and score in the mini-goals.
PROGRESSIONs
The coach can change the shape of the defending team to five defenders and three midfielders.
They can also remove the five lanes to give the attacking team more freedom in open play.
Coaching Points
- Runs in behind (third man runs): Players should be encouraged to make runs in behind in this practice. When the ball is played out wide, other players should be reading the play and starting to make runs in behind the opposition back line.
- Winger rolling inside: Wingers should be encouraged to roll inside – from Lanes 1 and 5 to lanes 2 and 4 – when there is space to do so. The timing of this movement is very important. Rolling inside when the ball looks like it is about to be switched, the full-back should move into Lanes 1 or 5 to overlap and provide the team’s width. This should create a 2v1 situation out wide. If the number 10 is playing in the half-space (Lane 2 or Lane 4), there will be no space for the winger to roll inside and they should hold the team’s width.
- Support & security: The in-possession team should always be reminded to maintain security behind the ball. Players should be aware of who the deepest player is and when they are going to make a forward run. If they do run forward, another player must replace them to provide security behind the ball. The player who offers this security is also vital in providing an option to circulate possession if the wide areas become too congested.
- Penetrate or circulate: Once the ball has been played wide, one of the main decisions players will be faced with is whether to attempt to penetrate and move the ball into an area to create a chance, or whether to circulate possession. Players should show patience in order to find the right moment to speed their play up and attempt to break the opposition’s back line. If the opposition is defending one side of the pitch effectively, the ball should be switched quickly to attempt to overload the other side of the pitch.
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
15 mins
Topic
PRINCIPLE
TIME
PLAYERs
space/equipment
DESCRIPTION
This is a finishing practice with an emphasis on creating wide triangles, while also focusing on the combinations that can be made once a wide triangle is formed.
Set up a team of eight with three midfielders, two full-backs, two wingers and a striker. Players are free to move anywhere around the final third.
The practice begins with one of the deeper midfield players playing the ball into the striker. The ball is then worked wide, and the players attempt to get the ball into a position from which they can cross.
PROGRESSIONs
The coach can progress so the crossing player or the finisher is only allowed one touch.
Alternatively, place a time limit on the combinations before which the team must work a shot on goal.
Coaching Points