CREATING SPACE | SKILL (15-P3)
CREATING SPACE | SKILL (15-P3)
Set Up/Organisation
Practice 3 of our possession based themed ‘Creating Space’ is based on attacking in a 4231 against a traditional 442. In what is essentially a 6 v 2 Rondo. Our 6 players look to keep possession around a defending pair (9 and 10) in a 15 by 15 yard area, creating space to penetrate, if defenders win the ball they must run the ball over any line within 3 seconds. Players must look to draw defenders one side to create space in wide areas or play a split pass by encouraging a single player press.
- Attacking Emphasis 75%
- Defending Emphasis 25%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Set up – Penetrating and Playing Around
Key Points: Establish these early
Progressions & Constraints | 1 – Player Drop In
Progressions & Constraints | 2 – Midfield Rotation
Progressions & Constraints | 3 – Channel Zones
Progressions & Constraints | 4 – Channel Rotations
Game Influence | CB Penetrate 2 Strikers
Game Influence 2 | FB Creating Angles
Game Influence 3 | CM Drop to Link
Key Coaching Points
- Tactical | Forcing direction to create a 2 v 2 and eliminate extra attacking player
- Technical | Defensive ability in 1 v 1s, jockeying on toes able to adjust and turn
- Social | Support teammates who become the primary pressing player (positioning)
- Player Challenges | Defenders
- Defenders spotting gaps to penetrate
- Player Challenges | Fullbacks
- Fullbacks creating quick angles to build play in front and behind the ballPace and angles of recovery runs made
- Player Challenges | Midfielders
- Midfielders recognising when and how to drop in to connect.
Q&A
- How can create space behind pressing defenders?
- When do you speed up your short passes?
- How can you link in behind defenders to keep possession moving?
- When do you need to play on the back foot and why?
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Difficulty Rating
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WINNING POSSESSION IN MF 3RD | OPPOSED (11-P2)
WINNING POSSESSION IN MF 3RD | OPPOSED (11-P2)
Set Up | Direction
In this Possession / Pressing Opposed Practice, we focus on pairs of defenders regaining possession as quickly as possible. Multi Directional Practice | This practice focuses on developing players ability to press possession players to regain possession quickly, through forcing direction and limiting gaps for opposition to play through. Work with 3 balls between 6 players, giving the 2 defenders chance to win each ball as quickly as possible. When possession won they can score in any one of 4 mini goals as shown, before pressing the group to win second ball and third. Once all balls won, rotate defending players.
- Attacking Emphasis 30%
- Defending Emphasis 70%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Key Coaching Point 1
Increase or decrease number of passers or defenders depending on ability of each group (e.g. 7 v 2, or 5 v 3).
Progressions & Constraints 2
Time each pair to win 6 balls, work 3 balls and then another 3 once they are won.
Key Coaching Points
- Ensure Possession and movement between passing players challenges defensive pairings.
- Speed of press, with a particular focus on triggers for pressing as a pair (i.e. Slow pass, bad touch, lofted pass).
- Limiting gaps in between, trying to isolate 1 or 2 passing players.
- Effective communication for both defending and passing players throughout (e.g. time, man on, press).
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Difficulty Rating
SHOOTING IN & AROUND THE BOX | TECH (21-P1)
SHOOTING IN & AROUND THE BOX | TECH (21-P1)
Set Up
This is practice 1 in Theme 21 and is focused on developing quick combinations around the box with one touch play, pull backs and 1-2 combinations to a finish. We also include quick feet exercises which are relevant for this situation in game play, together with a progression to finish at the opposite end. This will encourage players to react quickly and not ball watch after performing any action.
- Attacking Emphasis 90%
- Defending Emphasis 10%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
%
Difficulty Rating
COUNTER ATTACKING | SKILL (02-P2)
COUNTER ATTACKING | SKILL (02-P2)
Organisation / Set Up
This Dribbling practice requires at least 5 players in a 15 yard diameter circle area, with each player beginning with a ball each to dribble. Players encouraged to be creative and try as many tricks and dribbles as they can unopposed to begin with before introducing various obstacles and challenges.
- Attacking Emphasis 80%
- Defending Emphasis 20%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Progression 1: Add 2 Areas
Add 2 areas, where players must perform a different trick and with increased traffic closer control is encouraged.
Progression 2: Add Defender
Add a defender to add pressure to dribblers, so they must avoid each other as well as perform a dribble in area.
Progression 3: Passing Floater
With increased difficulty with added defender, a floater could act as a wall pass for dribblers under pressure.
Key Coaching Points
– Technical – Close control under pressure of defenders
– Technical – Ability to use both feet in turning
– Physical – Change of Pace when required
Q&A
– Is the space available for players appropriate?
– How can I work individually with each player?
– Is there room to extend the challenge for higher ability players?
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Difficulty Rating
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