Written by Dave Clarke
Attacking support in midfield
Develop players' ability to control the game in midfield by improving passing accuracy, support positioning, and effective combination play.
Coaching Objectives
Players work on passing and running off the ball to receive a return pass which works on first touch, passing, receiving and support play.
It also needs good combination play that results in creating a goal scoring chance and gets your players taking shots at goal.
Challenge levels
- Beginner: No restrictions, focus on maintaining possession and simple passes.
- Intermediate: Limit the number of touches (e.g., 2-touch play) to increase the difficulty.
- Advanced: Add a neutral player who always plays with the team in possession to create numerical superiority.
Drill Setup
- 20 Mins
- 8 Players
- 2 Goals
- 2 Bibs
- 30/50 x 30 y
Technique Tips
- Keep the head up to be aware of teammates' positions.
- Use the inside of the foot for accurate passing.
- Communicate constantly to coordinate movements and passes.
- Stay light on feet to adjust positioning quickly.
What the Players Do
Players start with 3 at each end and two working players who stay in the middle.The players at the ends take turns to use combination play with the two central players to create a goal scoring…The Joker Game
Dynamic small-sided game encouraging creativity, awareness, and combination play through wide and central joker players supporting the team in possession.
Coaching Objectives
This is all about taking advantage of the jokers and using that advantage to score goals. The size of the advantage should make scoring easy but that is not always the case!
- The possession team is looking to create triangles with players moving to make it easier for the player on the ball to pass it
- Use one and two touch play
- Use long and short passes and create triangles using the players in the middle.
- All players should be moving to support the pass, opening passing routes to give options to the player on the ball.
- Positioning, movement and decision making are the keys to the games
- Speed of play is important
Drill Setup
- 20 Mins
- 11 Players
- 1 Goals
- 6 Bibs
- 40 x 30 y
Technique Tips
- Encourage quick scanning and body positioning to play forward.
- Jokers should constantly adjust angles to support.
- Focus on sharp, accurate passing and intelligent movement after passing.
What the Players Do
You need three teams of 3 players and 2 goalkeepers. Two teams play 3v3 in the central area and the third team of jokers has two players out wide on the edge of the area and one in the centre. They…Ways to Play Through, Around and Over Midfield
Midfield is a key area of the pitch and team tactics should reflect this with teams working on a number of ways to get the ball forward
Coaching Objectives
Using a 1-3-1-2 7v7 formation how best can teams work through midfield, and get players to recognise the ways they can play through the middle – it's more than just passing.
Develop players' ability to navigate midfield challenges effectively, improving decision-making and passing accuracy.
Drill Setup
- 20 Mins
- 12 Players
- 2 Goals
- 6 Bibs
- 40 x 20 y
Technique Tips
- Encourage quick ball movement and constant scanning for passing options.
- Emphasize using the neutral player as a pivot to switch play efficiently.
- Remind players to use feints and changes of direction to evade defenders.
What the Players Do
Split the area into three with 15 yard end zones and a 10 yard centre zone. Both teams play 1-3-1-2. Each end zone has 3 defenders and 2 attackers and the central zone has 1 midfielder from each…Continue Reading For Free
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