By Sean Reed -
Objective
This session is a continuation of the 3 v 2 activities in previous weeks but now includes an additional defender making a recovery run that will encourage the attacking teams to finish as soon as possible.
Session 1
Diagram 1
Set Up
- Working within one half of the pitch 5yds inside of the penalty area each side
- 3 (Attackers) v 2 (Defenders)
- Attacking players start on cones outlined (with a 2nd set of cones 10yds away from 1st set of cones)
- Defenders start on the edge of 6yd area
- 1 defender plays a pass out to one of the attackers (who must play a pass and overlap to attack)
- Defenders then close the ball down to prevent attacking team from scoring
- Regardless of the outcome when the ball is out of play the attacking players make a recover run. Increase pace to 1st cone then increase to 2nd cone
- If you are working with small numbers increase the rest between attacks
- There are offside’s
Progressions
- Introduction of 2nd and 3rd Ball (Time limit 8 secs and 6 secs)
Coaching Points
- 1st touch to play into attacking player then next movement
- Forward runs, overlapping, running in behind to disrupt defending players
- Movement to create space and angles of support
- Creating 1v1 and 2v1 situations
- Be positive
- Decision-making in possession drive forward or pass
- Timing of pass and movement
- End product / finish on goal
- Tempo of play to exploit overload and isolate defender
- Timing of movement of when to come in (high up) or stay wide (deeper)
- 2nd phase recovering runs
- Defending players, nearest player up to the ball – looking to reduce size of the pitch
- 2nd defender supporting distances, body shape on the cover
- Isolate attacking players – prevent option to play out (especially nearer to goal (keep them going down one side / weaker side)
Session 2
Diagram 2
Set Up
- As with previous session, but one of the defenders now starts alongside one of the attackers
- Once the ball has been received by one of the attacking players the defender can make their recovery run
Progressions
- The attacking player does not have to make a pass, can run with the ball
- Introduce 2nd & 3rd ball (Limit time 8secs and 6secs)
Coaching Point
- Attacking player positive with 1st touch
- Use space available with only 1 defender, move the ball quickly
- Tempo of play
- Speed and line of recovery from the defending player
- 1st defender looking to hold play up allowing the recovering defender to get back in
Session 3
Diagram 3
Set Up
- As with the previous session.
- Within this session both 1 defender and 1 attacker will be making recovery and forward runs respectively
Progressions
- Limit touches in defending half to encourage quick play (use GK)
- Change the side the players recovering start
Coaching Points
- As within previous sessions
- Speed of players joining in (recovery and attacking)
- Exploit the overload, move the ball quickly, play into space
- End product
By Sean Reed
Former First Team Coach of Championship side Fulham FC. Sean is a UEFA A Coach with a Masters in Sport Coaching. He has over 15 years of experience working in professional football from Academy through to First team in the Premiership and Championship.
Web - www.seanjreed.com
Twitter - @SeanJReed
