Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Attacking in Wide Spaces (week 1)

Description

Game Moment: Attack – Attacking in the Wide Areas

Training Load: Medium–High

Duration: 90 minutes

Main Principle

• Create Attacking Shape — This includes creating width, along with height and depth, to make the field larger and harder for the opponent to defend.

Sub Principles

• Width — Stretching the field horizontally to open passing and dribbling lanes and isolate defenders in wide areas.

• Support Options to Play Forward — (Re-)positioning to receive the ball and providing angles for passes, overlaps, and combinations in wide areas.

Definitions

• Create Attacking Shape: In U.S. Soccer’s terms, this principle involves establishing height, width, and depth in the attacking half so that players off the ball spread across the field both vertically and horizontally, making the field larger and harder to defend.

• Width: As part of creating attacking shape, it’s the deliberate use of lateral spacing to stretch the opposition and create space for forward progression. It facilitates isolation opportunities and driving angles.

• Support Options to Play Forward: Repositioning players into space to offer passing lanes and progression opportunities. This includes providing vertical or diagonal passing options and moving off the ball to break lines or overload wide areas.