By Sean Pearson
Area Size: 32 x 26 Yards
Teams: 15 mins
Players: 6 v 6 + 2
Objectives
- To play into players under pressure with firm passes.
- For the players under pressure to realize what foot, which part of the foot to use and which direction to turn to get out of pressure.
Set-Up
A lot of the time as coaches we ask players to play away from pressure, while important to do so we must not forget to fully develop the player in all aspects of the game. The problem is players are not comfortable dealing with this pressure. Players do not know how to deal with the contact to them get away and players do not look to pass to players under pressure because they have been told not to by us coaches.
The truth is there are times when we need to pass into pressure, like a striker backing in to a center back in front of goal when no other pass is on. It is a skill that is being lost and we must do better to coach it and not forget it to help improve the quality of player we are able to produce.
Execution
The job of the 2 end zones is to be able to use the overload to be able to pass to their teammate in the middle zone. It is important that each middle zone is only 1v1 and no one else ventures into the area. The player receiving the ball changes their body shape to become sideways and reaches out with their back arm to feel for the defender and hold them off.
The receiving player checks to see which space, to the left or right of them, is the best to turn into. This can be determined by a number of factors, where is the defender coming from, how tight are they, where is the goal etc. The player then uses the pace of the pass into them and either the outside or inside of the foot to move the ball around the pressuring player.
After which they have turned they look to release the ball by passing into the opposite end zone. With a 3v2 overload this should help the turning player make a quick decision.
Eventually so all players are able to practice this skill without you the coach moving players around. Tell the player that passes into the middle area to switch places with the receiving player. After the turn you can also allow your players to run with the ball out of the middle area or continue to pass.
After the initial change the player who has turned returns to the end zone to keep the numbers even in each end zone.
If the defender manages to win possession from the turning player, they pass to a player in the end zone and the play resumes but with the teams changing roles.
Variations
- Add goals to score into after a successful turn.
- Allow a second defender into the middle zone so the receiving player must decide if they should turn or not.
By Sean Pearson. Sean is also the author Coaching Team Shape in the 3-3-1, Coaching Team Shape in the 4-2-3-1 and Coaching Team Shape in the 4-3-3
