Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Specific Practice into SSG / Creating and exploiting overloads in a 4-3-3

Specific practice / 1 Block 8v0 unopposed (only GK) ; 2 Block 8v5 + GK out of possession

The Welsh Way Principles of play / Creating and exploiting overloads:

• When and how to exploit a numerical advantage 
• Find the spare player
• Player movement to create the overload
• Interchange position
• Commit the opponent
• Ball speed

How it works: 

• The exercise is an 8v0 (only GK) 1 Block and an 8v5 + GK attacking pattern exercise designed to create an overload on the side. 
• Three plays are rehearsed unopposed (with only 5 mannequins and a real goalkeeper) as shown in Image 1, to give the players an idea of the movements.
• The progression, as shown in Image 4, then involves replacing the 5 mannequins with 4 defenders and 1 defensive midfielder.
• The half pitch is divided into four elongated zones to visually highlight where we can create an overload.
• Additionally, these zones serve as markers during the opposed phase, indicating where only the fullbacks are allowed to enter for defending.

Coaching content (Red coached team): 

• After the goalkeeper's goal kick, move the ball along one side to draw in the defending team.
• Coaching content for each play listed alongside the corresponding images. 

Coaching interventions: 

• Walk through 
• Concurrent
• Terminal
• Coaching process

• Challenge: To execute practiced moves in an opposed situation, the strategy should focus on creating different overloads both centrally and on the sides. By generating numerical superiority in these areas, the aim is to disrupt the opponent’s defensive structure and create spaces to exploit.
• Conditions: Block 1= none. Block 2 = blue can enter lateral zone only with his corresponding FB. Blue can score in the mini-goals if they win possession.
• Target: Score in the big goal. Preferably after a rehearsed play. Managed team in the second Block after winning possession trying to score in one of the three mini-goals.

2nd play overload with No. 8

Coaching content (attacking Team Red):  

• After moving the ball on one side, aim to switch it to the opposite side with high ball speed.
• To make it more realistic and improve timing, try to play the opening pass to the winger through the holding midfielder.
• The winger should pin the blue fullback, while the center forward should engage the near blue center-back. 
• The run of the number 8 should be well-timed. No offside.

Specific practice/ Creating and exploiting overloads - opposed 8v5 + GK

How it works: 

• The progression is to replace the mannequins with 4 real defenders and a holding midfielder, applying the overload plays in an opposed scenario.
• The two outer zones (shaded areas) can only be entered by one fullback from the defending team (blue), the aim is to help  the attacking team (red) to create the overloads.
• The three mini-goals, as shown in the image, allow the defending team to score if they gain possession.

Coaching content (attacking Team Red): 

• Try to apply the practiced plays with real opposition.
• Providing the coaching content for each play as done during the unopposed part.