By Philip Connolly
Objective:
The objective of the following training session is to work the players to be aware of and have the ability to switch the point of attack in order to exploit space or overload situations.
Practice 1:
Practice designed to force the players into switching the point of attack. Two teams of six players with 2 sets of coloured gates. To score a player must pass through one of these gates to a teammate, this team get to keep possession but in order to score again they must score in the same coloured gate on the opposite side of the area. If the defending team win possession they carry out the same objective.
Coaching Points:
• Quick Rotation of the Ball in order to move opposition out of shape
• Accuracy of the pass
• Communication
• Awareness of all players in and out of possession
• Intensity of the press to win the ball back as quickly as possible
Practice 2:
Two 3 v 1 Rondos set up on either side of the pitch, purpose is to retain possession until a pass back to one of the CBs or GK is on, the CB or GK then try to play into the other 3 v 1 Rondo where objective is repeated. If defenders win the ball the three of them look to attack against the 2 CBs and score in the main goal.
Coaching Points:
• Quick Rotation of the Ball in order to not allow the defenders set
• CB and GK receiving on the back foot with an open body shape
• Accuracy of the pass to evade the defenders
• Speed of attack if defenders win the ball in order to catch the two CBs out of shape
• Intensity of the press to win the ball back as quickly as possible in the 3 v 1 Rondos
Practice 3:
Two teams of 6 players. One team playing into the mini goals, one looking to score in the main goal. In order for the Black team to play out a player must receive the ball in one of the wide channels and in order to score the ball must at some stage be received in the opposite channel, thereby forcing the players to switch play out to the wide areas of the pitch. If the Yellow win the ball they look to counter and score as quickly as possible in the main goal.
Coaching Points:
• Speed of play – quality and accuracy of quick combination play
• Movement of players to combine and retain possession
• Communication between players to help achieve objective
• Pressing speed and shape of the defenders
• Awareness when the ball is won to spot the coach to make the safety pass (play with head up)
By Philip Connolly
