By Steven Smith
This session is designed to support target play especially coming from the midfield central players. Many modifications can be made to have the striker receive from various positions on the field.
Activity 1: Dutch Squares Warm-up
Setup:
Three square grids are set up with 10-yard by 10-yard dimensions with barrier space between each grid. At least one person is placed on each cone and preferably at least one cone in each grid should have two players positioned.
Execution:
Passing occurs in various patterns as described in the diagrams. Each pattern is initiated by passing to the right first and after a determined time the initial pass goes to the left. Coaches must emphasize receiving the ball with the front foot on all activities that involve the ball moving forward. Back passes should be received with the back foot and the body turned sideways on. If there is an extra person on a cone, the extra should apply a little defensive pressure and the attacker should push the defender away with the body and slightly check toward the ball or hold the defender off.
Variations:
Add a second ball to the passing sequence.
For all passes, the players should look over their shoulder before receiving the pass.
For all passes, the passer must call out the pass with one of three terms:
• Back
• Turn
• Hold
Comment
Coach at each grid demanding excellence. Players do the switching through captains.
Activity 2: 3v3v4
Main phase activity
Setup:
Field is set up with 3 teams of 3 in a 20 X 25 yard grid. Goals on each end can be full size or small goals. Keepers are optional depending on choice of goal size.
Execution:
Players try to maintain possession of the ball with the group of six with three people defending. If the defenders regain the ball, the turnover team becomes the defenders. Start with keep away and move to full size goals or increase group size.
Variations:
Start with keep away
Small goals
Counter attack full size goal
Counter attack small goal
Both teams attempt to score on full size goals on each end
Add sideline players for the defensive group only during counter attack
Activity 3: Through pass - Finding the striker in a 2v2 + 1
Main phase
Setup:
Field is set up with a 20X25 space as shown in the diagram. A middle field is set up as shown where the players will play 2 vs. 2. Goals can be set up as shown or other arrangements depending on desire of the training session. Three players on each group with rotation groups waiting or multiple fields.
Execution:
Players play 2 vs. 2 inside the restricted space. After a series of passes or on cue from the coach either team tries to find the striker who has been constantly moving to align himself/herself to receive a pass. After the successful pass to the striker the player attempts to score on full size goal.
Variations:
Run a striker at both ends as shown in diagram or only at one end.
Center players must connect 5 passes without loss of possession before connecting the pass to the striker
A single center player can break out of the grid to support the striker for any rebounds from the keeper
Change size of field and make the center area a 3 vs. 3
Comment
Use target strikers in the front role as much as possible.
Activity 4: Functional Possession in Front Third
Main phase
Setup:
Using half the field with two goals. One just 18 yards beyond the midfield strip facing the far goal. Team is set up with a full 11 players on one side and a double zonal defense on the other side (two lines of four).
Execution:
Play is started by a shot at the goal keeper near the midfield stripe. The keeper collects the ball and immediately serves to an outside back. The back then serves as deeply as possible to the front third and the mids load for the pass back to the CM. CM then sprays ball to flank. Free flow from that point forward attempting to get between and behind defenders.
Variations:
Coach sets various patterns to be repeated until the system is understood and penetration can take place.
Comment
Run the same defensive group multiple times together.
Activity 5: Full sided play
Setup:
Groups of 11 vs. 11
Execution:
Full field. Coaches randomly end play with whistle and start a new ball where the coach desires to work on functional play.
Goals can only come from balls initially sent to the Target Striker.
By Steven Smith Head Coach at Hope College, Holland, MI
