By Alex Trukan
What your FB and winger need to realize is they are connected, they are a unit. One player’s movement relates to the others and they should work together to manipulate the opposition FB. If both players stay on the line when attacking, their options of moving the ball forwards would be limited.
Remember if this is not the scenario you see from the opposition then this is not the strategy you use, there are plenty of other strategies to manipulate the other team’s players. However if you are using another strategy and the opposition players then try to stop it and this way of attacking becomes available, coach your players to understand when and where they are able to use it.
Set-Up and Directions
Organise a 25 x 25 playing area by the side of one penalty box. Prepare four mini goals (two on each end) to place at the end line of the playing box, as shown on the diagram below. Various size goals can be used in this practice (i.e. two medium size, end line, two full size). Organise a goalkeeper in goal on the opposite side of the pitch, at least 40 yards away from the playing area. Divide the group into two teams of four. Prepare a sufficient amount of balls to ensure flow of the practice.
The game starts with one of the teams (coach plays the ball in), who tries to remain in possession, and make at least 8 passes (this can be adapted) before they score in any of the four goals. Opposition team tries to win possession and make 8 passes before scoring as well.
At any point in the game, a coach can shout ‘break out’. This means that the team in possession has to go and attack the goal on the opposite half of the pitch as soon as possible. The defending team at that point has to react quickly and attempt to stop the attacking team from scoring.
Offside rule applies as soon as the ball crosses half way line. After each counter attack, the game is restarted from the playing area with the opposite team in possession of the ball. After each break out, both teams should return to the playing area slowly jogging/walking to ensure work to rest ratios.
Both teams can therefore score in any of the two goals, depending on which end zone they have made a turn in. The team that scored restarts from the opposite goalkeeper. If the opposition wins possession, they will try to score in the same way.
Timing
Players should do 4-6 repetitions (break outs) in 2-3 sets. The rest period between sets should be 4 minutes. Allow a minimum 30 seconds – 1 minute playing time before each break out.
Variations
- 3v3/5v5
- Increase/decrease distance to the goal
- Vary goal types and a way of scoring in the 4v4 game
By Alex Trukan, Development Coach, Nottingham Forest
@AlexTrukan
