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.
Defenders set up either side of the defending third. One defender plays pass into 1 of 2 attackers who attack defender quickly to get shot off against GK. One big goal for Attacking players to attack and 2 mini goals for Defender to attack if they win possession. Pass from each side and rotate attackers and defenders after 4-5 minutes.
Attacking Emphasis70%70%
Defending Emphasis30%30%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Progression & Constraints
3 v 2 Attack v Defence Overload Practice. Focus on movement and timing of forward passes to ensure there is a clear relationship and understanding between attacking players.
If defenders are successful for a certain time period to keep attacking players from getting a successful shot off (e.g. 4-6 seconds) then defenders can introduce an extra player, creating a 3 v 3 outfield situation. This increase in challenge will force attackers to attack quicker or adapt when faced with this balanced situation.
Key Coaching Points
Technical: Running with the ball at defenders and execution of pass and finish.
Tactical: Recognise space to exploit with the overload.
Physical: Speed to break lines with and without the ball.
Q&A
1 | Where does the space appear in the attacking phase?
2 | How can you move defenders around to create space to attack?
3 | How does the progression influence attacking options?
3 teams of 4-6 players in an area 25 long x 15 wide, split into 3 sections. Each of the 3 teams must start in a different playing area, with 1 team keeping possession in one end zone. 2 players press from middle area to win possession and transfer the ball to the opposite end.
Once they win possession, they drop out of central zone and the team who loses possession moves into the central area, with 2 players pressing; this is a quick rotation.
Attacking Emphasis35%35%
Defending Emphasis65%65%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Progression & Constraint 1 | Player Drop To Receive
Opposite end player can drop in to link play to play through, must not stay in area more than 5 seconds – Rotate.
Progression & Constraints 2 | 50 Pass, 4 Ball Transfer
Players keep count of passes and must make 4 passes to transfer the ball to opposite end.
Progression & Constraints 3 | Bounce To Play
Middle players must drop and set possession player to switch and transfer to opposite end.
Key Coaching Points
Quick Passing | Spacial Awareness | Speed of Press | Body Shape | Angles
Player Focus Great practice to start sessions off after warm up, as elements of competition and quick passing and transfer of the ball, encourages player to work at a high tempo. Compact area encourages players to play quickly and challenges individuals in possession to move the ball quickly under pressure.
Not much time available here. Get players to focus on giving themselves more time through being ready before transfer; organised. Balls must be prepared at the coaches feet or stationed around the practice, as there will be a lot of transfer of possession.
Be creative with numbers, decide what you want out of the session, easier defending or attacking and work to those ends. e.g. 4 v 2, 5 v 3, 6 v 4 etc
Practice 5 of the play at home series, works on individual player’s movement to lose what would be opposition to receive, move the ball and finish quickly. In addition we include finishing and movement practices to enable players to combine these different elements.
Attacking Emphasis100%100%
Defending Emphasis0%0%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Key Coaching Points 1: Movement to receive
Focus on movement off the angle of the pole, check shoulders to develop the habit to check for defenders who will you press you in games and take ball out of your feet on 1 touch to attack space and finish.
Progression 1: Physical Focus (Power / Speed)
After shot, player must sprint to corner and jump hurdles two footed to develop power, before sprinting through ladders using quick feet and then sprint through to the end pole.
Link to the Game
For older players, think about how these skills can link to their game in whatever position players play in. It’s important that skills are transferrable to the game where they can be applied in a game situaton.
Key Coaching Points
– Technical: First touch and finishing – Physical: Body shape to play forward – Physical: Speed and balance in between stations
Q&A
– How can I move into position quickly to give myself time on the ball? – How can I maintain technique over hurdles and ladders and maintain speed?
