Written by Dave Clarke
Playing Into a Striker
When teams play with one up front or when playing into an attacker who is high up the pitch passes and support play are vital to success.
Coaching Objectives
This session develops support play, attacking at pace, good passing and accurate shooting in one of the key areas of the pitch.
Set up goals on the half way line and the 18 yard line and use the width of the penalty area. You need a goalkeeper, 2 attackers, 2 defenders and a target striker.
Drill Setup
- 25 Mins
- 6 Players
- 1 Goals
- 2 Bibs
- Half Pitch y
What the Players Do
Start with the players at one end combining with the target man to create a 3v2 overload with the target man starting at the end with the defenders in it and the attackers playing into him/her. The…Play Fast in Crowded Areas
Penalty areas are usually pretty crowded places with a chaotic movements when the ball is played in. This drill replicates the chaos.
Coaching Objectives
Individual skills are important in tight areas of the pitch with quick passing and one touch play key as is shooting when players spot openings.
You need three teams of 4 and a goalkeeper. Two teams play inside the penalty area with one team on the outside.
Drill Setup
- 15 Mins
- 13 Players
- 1 Goals
- 6 Bibs
- Penalty Box y
What the Players Do
The team on the outside of the penalty area play for the team in possession on the inside. The two teams of four on the inside must try to keep possession and create goal scoring opportunities. The…Attack at Speed
To improve players' ability to quickly transition from defense to attack, recognize counter-attacking opportunities, and execute effective offensive moves.
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Coaching Objectives
Players should use the outside of the foot to dribble so that the player can keep the ball away from the defender and make it difficult to steal the ball.
Look to make sure all the players are participating, they are all looking to open passing lines and give options to the player with the ball. Nobody should be hiding, they all need to want the ball.
Really focus on the players’ positioning, movement and decision-making.
Pay attention to the passes and the speed which the ball circulates at.
Never lose control over the speed of the ball, speed up or slow down the ball’s speed. If we lose control over the speed of the ball the possibility of losing possession of the ball greatly increases.
When the opponent is defending up close, the attacking player should protect the ball with the foot furthest from the defender and use his body to block off the defender.
Drill Setup
- 25 Mins
- 10 Players
- 2 Goals
- 3 Bibs
- 40 x 30 y
Technique Tips
- Encourage players to stay alert and anticipate turnovers to initiate counter-attacks quickly.
- Emphasize the importance of communication and coordination between teammates to exploit gaps in the opposition's defense.
- Train players to make intelligent runs and use space efficiently during counter-attacks.