Tag Archives for " Forwards "

0 Create Space for Driving Forwards

By Alex Trukan Driving forwards with the ball is popular attacking option when the opposition is disorganised. This is because of the spaces left free and insufficiently covered. Options to drive forwards with the ball can be created though. One of the main ways to do it is by using movements off the ball to

0 Runs to Finish From Crosses

By Alex Trukan When trying to attack through the wings, getting the ball wide and creating an opportunity to cross is only part of success. The key to finalising wing play are movements that players make in and around the box just before, and as the ball is crossed. There are various combinations of different

0 Defending from the Front in the 4-3-3

By Alex Trukan When out of possession, many teams that attack with a 4-3-3 formation turn into 4-5-1. Both wingers tend to drop deeper into midfield lines and form a five player block. There are, however many advantages of using wingers higher up the pitch playing in a line with the striker. This alternative is

0 Runs in Beyond from Deeper Positions

By Alex Trukan Moving the ball forwards is one of the essential requirements to create goalscoring chances and finish. In order to be able to secure the ball in more advanced positions, forward runs without the ball are needed. Forward runs are for example used to play the ball into the striker going in behind

1 Defending From the Front in a Flat 4-4-2

By Alex Trukan

Playing with two strikers up front gives an opportunity out of possession to force the opposition into central areas of the pitch as well as wide. That gives a chance to adapt to the opposition more fluidly as well as to be more flexible when defending. Having a block of two units of 4 players in a line in behind two forwards is a simpliest way to get compact and narrow when out of possession and is an easiest defending strategy for players to understand. On the other hand, using flat lines poses a danger when defending against opposition playing in between the lines, for example offensive and defensive midfielders.

Team shape – playing 1-4-4-2

The team is playing with three flat lines: 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 2 strikers. The main strength of this formation when out of possession lies in the ability to

0 The False 9

Our latest book explores how some of the best teams in the world play with a withdrawn forward, also known as a False 9. The number 9 relate to the classic number given a the striker.

The most famous example of this method being used is Spain during the 2010 World Cup. When Fernando Torres was not playing Spain would play without a true forward and only have Cesc Fabregas playing a little higher up the field than

0 Midfielders and Forwards Attacking Combinations

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter.  Today’s featured activity works on midfielders and forwards combining to get to goal.

Start with a midfielder in possession of the ball around midfield.  Two other central midfielders out a bit wider and 10 yards in front and a forward just outside the top of the D.  A keeper is in the goal they are attacking.

Player 1 finds the forward with a pass.  He then starts

0 Midfielders and Forwards Combination Play

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter.  Today’s featured activity works on midfielders and forwards working together in combination play.

We want our players to get accustomed to looking for combination opportunities so in these activities we recreate various ones.

Starting with 4 attacking players and a keeper.  One player is a forward, one is an outside midfielder and 2 are central midfielders.

The first combination simply is a pass into the target player who then

0 Combination Play For Forwards

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter.  Today's featured activity works on forwards working together, combination play and finishing.

Start with a keeper in goal, two forwards staggered but close together and a few players in line near midfield with balls.

The first player in line plays the ball to the deep forward (who has

1 Movement OFF the Ball

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter.  Today’s featured game works on movement off the ball and the use of depth in the attack.  You can see similar type games in the book Brazilian Training Games; 102 Small-Sided Games, Exercises and Drills.

There is a tendency for forwards to come back far to get the ball and while their eagerness to be involved is commendable, the problem is it makes it difficult to stretch the field in the attack.  This makes it easier for the opponent to compress the field when defending and eliminates a lot of space to work with,

This game is on a field that is 50 x 30 (size can vary depending upon the number of players on the field) with two teams of 6.  Use flags (or poles) to make a goal 10 yards in from each end line.

This is a regular game with the exception that a team can score from