By Mike Smith
Do your players try to do too much, force play or actually play themselves out of opportunities? I see this a lot, especially in high school soccer. This session is built on the simple concept of teaching players to recognize when the pieces for an attack are in place. The idea is to not force play, but utilize the wide spaces once the attacking numbers are there.
Lesson 1
6 v 6
Set Up
4 attacking players start inside a box which is made by using cones to extend the penalty box to the half line (as shown ). The attacking players start in a triangle at the top of the box where 3 defenders are set as a back line. 3 additional defenders are free to roam the box, but the first pass in is free and the initial passer is not marked until the first pass is made. The idea is to use combinations to play where the players are already facing to get the ball out wide to an additional waiting attacker. There are two waiting attackers outside the cone box on the wings. Once a play is made out to one attacker, the attacker on the far side may shift into the box, as shown on the next diagram.
From here the idea is for the attackers to possess the ball back into the center and to the opposite side. While an attacking drill, it is also great for working on proper shifting and marking for the defenders. In my opinion, giving up a bit of possession is better than giving up any vulnerable space from a defensive perspective. There is no going forward past the penalty box or attacking in this progression. This activity should start after a proper warm up and the coach should run it for 15 – 20 minutes.
Coaching Points
The coach should focus the team on lateral play first. As this develops, chances for through balls from the center will present themselves. The idea here is Central – Wide – Central, however in the next progression, any time the ball gets wide, the attackers should be looking to play over and through for a shot. The coach can use this exercise to prepare the attackers for the next progression.
Lesson 2
Serve and Crash
Set Up
Shown from the same set as the previous drill, the attacking team is now allowed to serve the ball into the box. There are no keepers and every serve must be finished from inside the goalie box. The defenders are free to defend all the way to the goal line. The focus is using width and depth to create an open service but also getting the ball past the defense as turnovers in front of a packed in defense with heavy attacking numbers up almost always leads to counters. Attackers score by getting goals, defenders score by trying to possess the ball and make the field wide. 10 passes equals a defensive score. All restarts are taken as in the first activity from the center of the top of the box.
Coaching Points
Creating quality chances with good services is the focus here. Encourage your team not to make it a 1 v 1 battle by forcing things. Shape, lateral movement and services over the defense will create clean scoring chances. There is simply too much room for a defense to cover AND still protect the goal. Add a keeper who must stay in the goalie box as a final progression.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
