Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Playing with a Number 9 in a 4-3-3

GR Striker 4-3-3 (20 mins)

ORGANISATION

16 players, 2 yellow goalkeepers, 3 red, 3 blue, 8 orange.

Supply of balls in each goal.

Area - Width of 18yd box to the back of the centre circle, with flat discs marking half way line.

Set up with a goalkeeper in each goal 2 red defenders and a blue striker in one half and a goalkeeper, 2 blue defenders and a red striker in the other half (players must stay in that half).

Orange neutral players line up at the half way line, 4 on each side.

ACTIVITY

Ball starts with goal keeper and play 3 v 1 to get ball in to neutral wingers in attacking half.

When a team has possession 2 neutral players join in the attacking half.

As soon as goal is scored / ball goes out of play / possession is lost, the neutral players leave the area and join queue again.

Offside rule applies.

Let them play for a minute or so and then go in and show 1st option (striker into channel).

Try that for a few attacks and then show 2nd option (winger across the face run).

Defenders are passive while going through the options.

PROGRESSIONS

1. Defenders no longer passive, although must remain goal side until ball is played forward.

2. Add centre midfielder for each team (can go in either half).

COACHING POINTS

Be positive.

Ball forward with pace.

Option 1 - Striker makes run into channel for ball down outside.

Winger opens body up with first touch.

Wingers touch triggers strikers movement and arcs run into channel behind covering derfender.

Winger plays into space for strikers run and continues run in to box.

Weight of pass.

Timing of run.

Opposite winger should get into box for cut back.

Option 2 - Winger across the face run

Winger takes positive 1st touch inside.

Striker should keep high line.

On wingers touch the striker checks away before showing for ball.

Winger drives inside before playing ball to striker and then arcs run across face fo receive for strike on goal.

Striker should hold ball up and set winger for shot.

Weight and timing of pass.

Striker should follow in for any rebounds.

Phase 1 Striker 4-3-3 (20 mins)

ORGANISATION

16 players, 8 red.1 yellow Gk, 6 blue. 1 orange

Play half field, with goal set up at the back of the centre circle.

Red team set up as 2 - 3 - 3, blue team as Gk - 4 - 2 with neutral target man playing over half way line. Neutral will also restart play..

ACTIVITY

Neutral player always restarts play by playing into red team. Play for a few minutes looking for coachable moment to go in and show first option and alternative.

Blue team score by getting ball into goal at the centre circle or by hitting the target man over the half way line.

OPTION

Ball played out to winger who opens body and plays ball into the channel for the striker and arcs run inside to provide support.

Alternative

IF the full back has denied the space to play down the line THEN winger turns inside and keeps possesion (striker can recognise this and check run).

COACHING POINTS

Striker stays central as play develops (within width of 6yd box).

Wingers create good width.

1st touch down line

Timing/angle of run.

Weight of pass.

Type of finish.

Be patient to draw defending midfield players out to create space.

Defensive line not too deep.