By Philip Connolly
Relationship between Midfield and Attacking Units when building an attack in a 1-3-5-2 Formation
Objective:
The objective of the following training session is to work on aspects of the relationship between Midfield and Attacking Units when attacking in the final third.
Practice 1:
Working on moving the ball from midfield into the forward players. Play starts with a 7 v 2 Rondo with the objective being to play the ball to either of the two centre forwards. If this happens they have the choice to play back to a midfield player or turn to face the defender in a 2 v 1 situation with the objective to score in either of the wide goals.
The defender can put passive pressure on the forwards to prevent them from turning but in doing so may leave the other centre forward free, in the Rondo the centre forwards cannot pass to each other only when they enter the 2 v 1 area. If the Yellow players (all three) win the ball they look to score in either of the corner goals at the opposite end. The DM can enter the area if this happens to defend 3 v 3.
Coaching Points:
• Look to play forward whenever it's on
• Combination play between CM and CF to play them into space and score
• Communication between the units
• Ball rotation speed and accuracy of the forward pass
• Angles and distances of support
Practice 2:
Play starts with an 8 v 2 Rondo with 2 CF and 2 Defenders plus a goalkeeper in an adjacent area defending the main goal. Building on the Rondo the idea is to play into the CF through midfield to get a shot on goal. The player who plays the pass into the CF can go and join the attack (limited to CM and WB) to create 3 v 2 situation.
Again if the CF receives the ball, depending on the situation, he may play the ball back to midfield or turn and attack the Defender. If the Yellow defenders win the ball back they look to play the ball into the wide red gates to imitate a pass out to their full back.
Coaching Points:
• Quick rotation of the ball to move defenders out of position and then to play forward as soon as the opportunity presents itself
• Speed of support to CF to create that 3 v 2
• Communication as to whether to hold or play back.
Practice 3:
8 v 8 game. CFs are positioned in an end zone against two defenders and a GK. The ball starts with the CB at the end of the area who acts as a server to start the game but can enter the area once this is done. Once again the focus of the game is to play the ball into the centre forward.
Wide channels are in play where the WBs start the game but can come into central areas once the game starts. However, if a goal comes from a cross in wide channel in the end zone where the CFs play the goal counts as double. If the Yellows win the ball the CB must return to his starting position on the end line (can move across to facilitate) and the whites score by playing into him. Again the player who plays the pass can move and support the CF in the end zone.
Coaching Points:
• Can we get the WBs high and wide when attacking and get crosses to CF
• Combination play between the CM to play the CF in from central areas.
By Philip Connolly
