By Philip Connolly
Objective:
To work on players ability to play through midfield in order to attack.
Practice 1: 4 v 4 + 4
Practice focusing on players retaining possession was playing in a shape representing the 1-3-4-1 formation in the 9 v 9 game. Try to use the two CM (white) players as often as possible and play forward and back using the players in the triangles who can't be tackled. If the Yellows win possession back they transition to take the positions of the Blacks, this is to be done at speed with the Blacks trying to prevent them from doing this, and the Yellows should use the 'safety' pass option to the Whites to allow time to take shape.
Coaching Points:
• Accuracy and Quality of the pass
• Movement to receive the ball
• Communication
• Rotations of the two CM players (white central players)
• Speed of transitions in and out of possession
• Intensity of pressing when out of possession
• Practice 2: 3 v 1 x 2 playing into a 1 v 1
Two grids where both have a 3 v 1 taking place. Three passes must be made and switched to the opposite grid before the ball can be played forward to play 1 v 1 on goal, only player missing from the attacking team is the GK and playing in a 1-3-4-1 shape in the 9 v 9 game. Make use of the 'neutral' player (white) who should be used to switch play.
If the defenders in the 3 v 1 win the ball they look to score in either of the three mini goals within their area, same for the defender in the 1 v 1 or 2 v 1 who tries to score in the wide mini goals.
Progression: Player who makes the pass can go and join the CF to create a 2 v 1.
Coaching Points:
• Speed of ball rotation
• Movement and awareness of the 'neutral' player
• Scanning of neutral player to be aware of when to switch
• Movement of the CF to receive playing forward or know when to protect
• Play forward as early as possible once conditions have been achieved i.e. 3 passes and a switch
Practice 3: 6 v 6 Functional Game Playing into Midfield to Attack
Positions as per the diagram, CB is a server who starts each attack by playing into a CM player, need to work on appear/disappear movements to receive in space with an open body shape to play out wide or into CF. If the Yellows win possession they look to score in either of the mini goals as quickly as possible.
Coaching Points:
• Movement of CM
• Communication between the CMs
• Crossing ability of WM
• Finishing of CF
• Combination play between attacking players
• Rotation of the ball from side to side to create overload situations
By Philip Connolly
