By Stevie Grieve, Author of Coaching the 4-2-3-1, Modern Soccer Tactics and Winning Soccer Tactics.
In this exercise; the player in Red is the goal scorer from the 2nd line.
The defender can only press the striker once the ball is passed and on the way to the striker’s feet. The striker must receive and lay off under pressure for his team mate to run through on goal and score.
Coaching Points:
• Play on the half turn
• Receive and protect with the 1st touch
• Allow the defender to get close to create space for 2nd line penetration
Progressions/Variations:
• Allow the defender to man-mark the striker
• The 2nd line runner can make space for the striker to shoot
• Add in a midfield defender to play 2v2.
Attacking from the 2nd line in a 2-3-1 formation
Similar to previously, the defender can only press the striker as the ball is on its way to him. He should receive on the half turn and look for support from the 2nd line. In the example above, the striker switches to the far side winger who has support from the 2nd line running beyond the defender to receive a through pass.
The zones are – 2v0, 3v3, 2v1. Above, the Black defend with the striker sitting off, when the Black attack, the Yellow striker exits the field to allow the defence to play 2v0.
Coaching Points:
• Move to the ball to ensure the defender is pulled out of position more
• Fake passes to stall the defender and buy some time
• Play 1st touch passes under heavy opponent pressure
• Take a touch to draw in an opponent if possible
• Pass back to create more space for a 2nd line runner behind the defender
• Don’t force the play – pass into space for diagonal runs or arced runs
By Stevie Grieve, Author of Coaching the 4-2-3-1, Modern Soccer Tactics and Winning Soccer Tactics. Check out his new book, Coaching the 4-2-3-1 Advanced Tactics here.
