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Overloads can be vital to winning games
  • Transitions
  • 8 -18

Using Overloads In Transition

Difficulty

Coaching overloads in youth soccer enhances decision-making, improves spatial awareness, and develops players’ ability to exploit numerical advantages, generating confidence in attacking play and defensive transitions.

dave

Written by Dave Clarke

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Overload Attack To Score

A dynamic drill to develop attacking creativity and defensive resilience in a 4v2 format with rotational team involvement.

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Coaching Objectives

Enhance players’ decision-making in attack, improve finishing, and develop defensive coordination under pressure in small-sided scenarios.

Drill Setup

  • 16 Mins
  • 9 Players
  • 1 Goals
  • 4 Bibs
  • 35 x 25 y

Technique Tips

  • Attacking:
    • Emphasize quick, accurate passes to bypass defenders.
    • Encourage players to create space with off-the-ball movement.
    • Focus on quality finishing with composure.
  • Defending:
    • Stress positioning to block passing lanes and shots.
    • Encourage defenders to communicate effectively to manage pressure.

What the Players Do

Initial Setup: Place 4 attackers at the top end of the pitch. Position 2 defenders inside the playing area and the other 2 behind the goal. Starting Play: The…

Overload Possession

Winning the ball in situations where there is an overload is something the most successful teams are good at; you can say to your players “try and win the ball back in 5 seconds”

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Coaching Objectives

Improve players' ability to press effectively, retain possession under pressure, and transition quickly from defense to attack.

Drill Setup

  • 20 Mins
  • 10 Players
  • 2 Goals
  • 5 Bibs
  • 30x30 y

Technique Tips

  • Pressing:
    • Focus on closing down the ball quickly and positioning to block passing lanes.
    • Work in pairs to communicate and coordinate pressing angles.
  • Possession:
    • Emphasize movement off the ball to create passing options.
    • Use quick, accurate passes to evade pressure.
  • Transition Play:
    • React quickly after winning possession to play forward into the other half.

What the Players Do

Time: 3-minute rounds, repeat for 4–5 rounds with rest intervals. Equipment: Cones to mark out the halves. 1 ball in play (plus extras for quick restarts). Bibs for team…

Creating Successful Transitions

Turnovers happen repeatedly within a game and players need to be prepared for transitions when they occur, especially when the opposition is switched off

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Coaching Objectives

Attackers need to combine quickly to take advantage of overloads when counter attacking whilst defenders need to organise to cope with this pressure. 

Drill Setup

  • 20 Mins
  • 16 Players
  • 2 Goals
  • 7 Bibs
  • 60x40 y

Technique Tips

  • Passing Precision: Focus on sharp, accurate passes, especially the initial pass from the attackers by the goal to their teammates in the other half.
  • Positioning: Attackers should spread out, utilizing width and depth to stretch defenders and create space.
  • Communication: Clear verbal and non-verbal cues between attackers will improve coordination and increase goal-scoring chances.
  • Quick Reactions: Goalkeepers and defenders must be alert and anticipate attackers’ movements, keeping body positions open for quick adjustments.

What the Players Do

Set up by using an area of 60 x 40 yards, split into two halves, with a goal at each end. You need balls, cones, bibs and two goals. Split your players into two teams of 8, each with a…

Session Overview 1/5

  • 1.

    Overload Attack To Score

    A dynamic drill to develop attacking creativity and…
  • 2.

    Overload Possession

    Winning the ball in situations where there is an…
  • 3.

    Creating Successful Transitions

    Turnovers happen repeatedly within a game and players…

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