Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B Creating and Exploiting the Overload

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Creating and Exploiting Overloads

Session Specific Training

Task - The blue attacking team is tasked with creating overloads both centrally and out wide, in order to, create chances in the final third. If the red defending team regains possession of the ball following a turnover, they are tasked with trying to get the ball into the end zone by either dribbling or receiving a pass inside the zone. Subsequently, if blue loses possession, they transition into defense for this. 

Problem - The red defending team have a numeric advantage with the goalkeeper, being 7v6. 

Solution - Having the defenders commit to marking can drag them out of positions, use clever movements and scanning to recognize which overloads you can create and where. This can take form in overloads out wide, where a winger either inverts there or continues it out wide, where as, the respective full-back would subsequently perform an overlapping or underlapping run. 

What if - The red defending team keep a compact low block on top of the box and do not over commit to pressing and man-marking but rather maintaining their shape and lines. Can we create and exploit overloads in the wide areas to adapt to this situation? 

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Creating and Exploiting the Overload Centrally 

Traveling with the ball forward from the midfield can get the attention of the red defending midfielder nearest to the football. When the player is dragged out of position, the midfielder passes to the inside midfielder on the side where the team is creating a numeric advantage. Once the full-back is tasked with closing the space for the midfielders shot, the midfielder can instead make a pass to the winger who is making an inverted run to get inside the box to have a chance at goal.