By Mike Smith
Several years ago I realized what General Patton said was very true – “ A good plan now is better than the perfect plan tomorrow.” While I really love to see my team get set up and swing the ball the entire width of the field at will, sometimes the opponent is just better in midfield and the lateral play just doesn’t work. So while possession and width go hand in hand, I have had success utilizing the length of the field and possessing the ball wide as a means to take a better opponent out of their mid field game. This session focusing on possessing out on the line by keeping triangular spacing.
Lesson 1
Pass and Move Warm Up
Set Up
Put you players in several groups of 5 or 6 players. Set up two cones 15 – 20 yds apart with cones marking shaped runs to each side ( as shown ). Place an additional cone behind the starting cone to mark the point players rotate into the drill. The starting player, who is at the head of the line of 4 or 5 additional players, plays the ball up to the player waiting on the far cone. The starting player immediately moves to the left and follows the shaped run marked by the cones on their way to the receiving cone. The player at the receiving cone, takes the starting pass and sends it back to the starting cone where the next waiting player has checked in. After the initial reception and pass back, the receiving player moves to their left and follows the shaped run before returning to the back of the line. As soon as the starting player reaches the receiving cone, the pattern is repeated .
Coaching Points
A good warm up here to the point the drill becomes fluid and the ball isn’t stopped for long will be crucial to the next progression. The coach should encourage good touch, timing and pace on the ball as well as game speed runs off the ball.
Lesson 2
Get in Shape on the Line
Set Up
With players in groups of 6, make a W shape of cones out on the line as shown. The cones should be 10 – 15 yards apart and cover a length of 30 to 40 yards. In the center of the W shape, towards the central part of the field, place a post. The idea is to work the ball through the W shape and check to and away from the post to the next cone after every pass. As shown, the starting player passes the ball to the closest cone and then runs to the post. The player who starts on the post runs back to the open cone ( as shown on the next diagram ).
If the next cone opens up as the player in route to the post is getting there, this player peels off their run and gets to the open cone. The players don’t have to make it to the post every time, but should use it as a reference to help shape their runs to create space.
Once the ball makes it to the end of the W, it is sent back with a long pass up the line and play continues.
Coaching Points
Just like the first drill, this can become fluid, but will tire the players. The coach can decide whether to let them rest a few seconds every time the W is completed or keep the activity constant. Quick movements away off the ball AND vision to see when to check back to the open cone are the keys here and the coach should reinforce these ideas during the drill.
Lesson 3
Keep Away on the Line
Set Up
Create and 15 to 20 yd wide rectangle on the line. The length should be 30 – 40 yds. A group of 8 players, 5 attackers vs 3 defenders, play keep away inside the box. One of the defenders plays outside the box on one end as a target player for the defense and every time this player receives the ball it is a point for the defending team. The coach can set a numbers of passes to be completed by the attacking team as a method of keeping score for them. Defenders can be added as a progression but the idea of 5 players moving to the line quickly to possess against two midfielders and one defender is a very valid scenario / tactic in an actual match.
Coaching Points
The coach should stress good movement off the ball to KEEP shape, not cave it. Also, the attacker closest to the target player must be ready to transition to defense quickly and cut off easy passes into the target player in the case of a turnover.
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.
