Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Attacking The Final Third (Start Time: 2024-10-31 20:30:00)

Attacking The Final Third (15 mins)

Roles and Responsibilities

Attacking Team-

CM- The CM is looking to receive the ball from the feeder on the half turn to play forwards whenever they can. They are looking for quick combinations with the any of the front 4 as well as making a 3rd man run forwards as there is a high chance that they will be unmarked or create space for a teammate.

CAM- The CAM will play as an old fashioned number 10. They will find little pockets of space to exploit and be creative in. They are thinking about breaking lines with a pass, dribble or a shot as well as creating a +1 where ever the ball goes in the final third. This will make them extremely hard to mark as they are not allocated to 1 certain player and will force the defence to communicate well when passing him on. 

Wingers- The wingers should have a varied game of being direct 1 v 1 against the opposition fullback, going down the outside, cutting inside the pitch, shooting, crossing or sliding a pass inside for the CM or CAM to latch onto. This makes them harder to defend against as they are unpredictable. When the ball is on one side of the pitch, the far side winger should tuck in and look to make runs towards the back post for tap ins.

ST-  The ST should stay between the width of the posts as that is where they are going to score most of their goals. They should look to make unselfish runs to create space for teammates, always gambling on rebounds from shots from distance and making runs in front of the CB's to get to the ball first from crosses.

Block 1- Opposition Management

- The back line should stay narrow and compact which in turn forces the attacking team to play wide. 

- When the ball goes wide to a winger, the ball side FB goes out to press, arcs their run and forces the player wide. The CDM locks on to the ball side 10/CM and doesn't let them switch the ball. The ball side CB is covering the space inside the pitch, the far side CB is man marking the ST and the far side FB has tucked in and gets in line with the back post.

- On a regain, can they have the composure to play out and find a mini goal?

Block 2- Add Coaching Detail

- CM/CAM constantly scanning, recognising moving pictures, where the space is, where can they exploit weaknesses in the oppositions back line. Can they shoot from distance if they are given the chance? 

- Extremely important that the wingers use a change of tempo when attacking 1 v 1. Using smaller touches to manipulate the ball and then a real short sharp explosion of pace to go past their marker. I want the wingers to be creative, be brave, play with deceit, express themselves.

- Positionally it is crucial that the front 3 have all time width which means the wingers are as wide as they can be and the ST is central which pins the back 4 back. This asks questions of the back line, do the FB's go out and get tight which leaves space for an 'out to in' run from a winger or for a ST to spin down the side. Or do the FB's leave the wingers in space for them to receive and be more direct 1 v 1. It is on the CM/10 to recognise these pictures and be a catalyst for the attacks.

Block 3- Check Understanding- Let them play

- The feeder initially plays from the top of the practice but as it goes on, they can go to any set of footballs to play in, this changes the angle of the practice and will get different outcomes e.g. Straight into the ST to shift and shoot? Straight into a winger to go 1 v 1 instantly?

- Coaching position changes from at the top of the practice to either side of the wingers for a different view.

- Coach commentates during the practice and gives fly-by advice in this final block.