Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B GK- Attacking the final third

Specific Practice (10 mins)

Organisation

• Half Pitch marked and set up as shown.
• Play 8 Reds v 7 Blues. 
• Coach to work with Reds (in possession team) and manage Blues (out of possession team)
• Play 2x 4min periods with 1 min break.

Reds: In a 2-5-1 (CDM/CDM-LB/LM/CM/RM/RB-ST) from a 4-2-3-1 i.e. missing their CBs. Reds start as shown; #7 and #11 use offset from 18yrd box to orientate themselves; #3 and #2 at toucline corner of Zones. Red #9 try to pin Blue CB as high as possible and Blue #10 start wide and deep to create pocket to move into. When in possession Red #3 must stay in Zone A; Red #2 must stay in Zone B and Red #10 in Zone C.

Blues: In a GK-4-3 (LB/CB/CB/RB-CM/CM/CM) from a 4-3-3 i.e. missing their front three, but the two mini goals represent the #10 and #11. Blues to set as shown, narrow and compact, use CBs in line with posts, FBs corners of 18; #6, #7 and #8 plugging passing lines.

No one in taper zones.

Explanation

• The reds are in possession and will alternate by starting with the #6 or #8 dropping to the line of cones (game realistic position of CBs) to receive possession from the coach and play in by dribbling or passing. 
• Reds should use the Welsh Way principles of play to break down the Blues defensive unit, create opportunities and score. 
• They get a point for every goal (conditions to follow in minutes 1-4 and 5-8). If Blues intercept they have the sub-principle of Attacking Transition (secure first pass; play forward quickly) and in this case get a point for scoring in the mini goals.

Challenges, Conditions, Targets

Every goal scored by the reds in big goal or by blues in mine goal gets a point.

Can Reds:

- Move the ball quickly into/out of and through Zone C to maximise time in the 'Magic Zone' and offer opportunity to allow individual creativity or link up/overloads/3rd man runners and through balls.

- Move the ball quick enough into Zone A and B to allow crosses into the box between the GK and back line? What kind of cross - this will depend on attributes of the ST (better header or ball striker?)

- Use possession and speed of ball and player movement to switch i.e. if Red #3 and #7 are high in Zone A, cross is cut off - do they have depth to switch across quickly centrally or to Zone B to find spare player?

- If Red #6 or #8 carries ball, does it draw Blue #8 out and create space between lines?

- Can Red #9 and #10 interchange to draw blue CBs out into Zone C and allow Red #7 and #11 to run through?

Key Points

In Possession

• Maintain Width and Depth
• Risk Taking (creativity, commit opponent)
• Weight and accuracy of final pass and finish
• Synchronised player and ball movement and speed to create and find the spare player; combinations, timing of runs, interchange of positions; overlap/underlap
• Create overloads; switch play

Out of Possession

• Show away from goal
• Block/defend crosses
• Body on line
• Force out wide
• Stop switches
• Protect space between lines
• Control space behind last line
• Block central passes
• Stay compact