By Mike Smith
A couple years ago, after a 1-1 draw, I heard the opposing coach talking to his assistants as they were leaving the game and he was expressing his frustration as to how he felt his team made things too complicated. “ Right back, to right mid, give and go combination with a center mid and serve it into the strikers. How hard is that?” It’s not hard, but sometimes playing straight up strength against strength doesn’t always work. The trick is to throw in a wrinkle with out throwing off your teams whole shape / system. IF you run a 4-4-2 where your wing mids do the bulk of the serving / crossing ( Diagram 1 ) and it isn’t working for you, try this adjustment, especially at half time when your opponent thinks they have your system figured out.
Instead of having your wing mid combine with the central mid to get up the line, have the wing mid send the ball to the corner for one of your strikers to chase down. ( 2nd Diagram ) Shifting runs toward the corner – a near post run from the other striker combined with a supporting run from the right center mid and the trap is set. After the initial play up the line, the right mid should make a run into the space left by the strikers and right center mid. The third diagram shows the quandary this can put the opponent into.
The trap here is the isolation of one defending midfielder by two attacking midfielders – the left and left center mids. A service to the top of the box or back post will both be viable attacking options. Additionally, if your outside backs get up the field , they will have chances as well. IF the defending team drops their formation into the box, your striker will have a free service or opportunity to get around on the end line and cause trouble on the near post. Following are a couple drills to help your team add this wrinkle to your attack.
Lesson 1
Run the Play
Set Up
Groups of 5 players set up as shown to simulate two forwards clearing out to the corner. The player in the center circle sends the ball to the wing player, who sends the ball into the corner. The opposite wing player times a run into the back post while the player in the center circle times a run to the top of the box. One striker will go to the ball and hit in a serve / cross while the remaining striker will attack the keeper at the near post. The keeper must stay in the goalie box. Since this scenario is all about space, run it with out defenders for a bit.
Coaching Points
With out pressure, the 5 attackers should be able to create and finish a chance with in 6 or 7 touches. Once they have gotten into the flow, put this limit on them and see how they progress. The idea here is precision.
Lesson 2
Add the Defenders – Look for the Isolation
Set Up
Add 3 defenders who start at the top of the defensive third in front of the two strikers. The 5 attackers play as before and should look to find the area where 1 defender has to account for two attackers.
Coaching Points
Encourage the defenders to drop back and cover the space in the box, this will create a more realistic scenario for the attackers. IF the attackers work at speed, there should be plenty of shots to be had from the top of the box and far post. IF the defenders want to try and pressure the service, let the 5 attackers pick them apart. Additional defenders can be added as play progresses, again, the main point is recognizing and utilizing the space where there are 2 attackers on 1 defender.
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.
