Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Midfield and Attacking Combination Play

Function (20 mins)

Organisation

- 70x40 area (or half pitch) split into Thirds

- 14 Players

- 8v6 Attacking Overload

- Attackers (Blues) setup in a 1-2-3-2 formation

- Defenders (Reds) setup in a 1-2-2-1 Formation

- Blues have free roam through all thirds

- Reds locked to their third

- Ball starts with Blue GK

- Play out to either Blue Defender (Red ST to apply passive pressure but not tackle)

- Blue CM to drop into area 1 to receive (unnopposed)

- Play through area 2 (Midfield zone), combine with Midfield and Attacking Unit to score.

- If Reds win possession back, can they score into opposite goal within 15 seconds.

- If Blues score, ball starts back with Blue GK

Coaching Points

- Awareness of own receiving situation and location of other support players. Check shoulder - create a mental image/picture.

- Quality of first touch; directional, immediate control, larger touch to open out or travel

- Pass; speed/strength, accuracy, appropriatness, receiver preferences or skill set, feet or space, floor or aerial.

- Speed of play; create gaps/space and exploit them, split opposition, 1-2 touch.

- Speed of thought; decision making, when to pass, when to dribble, chance/space creation, opposition weakness/unbalance.

- Quality of support and movement, on, off and away from the ball. Help the player on the ball. Attacking to generate 2-3 options for passer at all times. Type of run; arced, bent, straight, in behind, to feet, space.

- Attacking lines and corridors on pitch; try to occupy 4/5 corridors (width) and differing lines (depth). Again helps to split opposition and create space for receiver.

- End product; shot - chipped, driven, placed, pass and cross - appropriate, back/front post, central, edge, support runs.

- Inventive and creative combination play; roam between area 2 and 3, drop deep to receive, fill space created by another run, 1-2 touch, one-twos, flair play.

- Body position to receive; open out or protect/hide ball

- Pitch geography in relation to other attackers, defenders and goal(s).

Progression(s)

- Introduce offside line in area 3; either cones set by coach or active line set by defending team

- Red ST can now tackle in area 1

- Red can free roam

Regression(s)

- Red midfielders in area 2 become passive defenders