Attacking overloads

3v2s

We set up on two-thirds of a pitch, with three coaches in position to feed the balls for each move. In this example, reds are defending, blues are attacking. For each wave of the activity, three attackers go from their position beyond the halfway line, two defenders come out from behind the goal. Ball 1 is played to the attackers with the intent of launching a fast attack, and the move plays to a finish [1a]. The aim is for the attackers to create a 2v1, and to think about the timing of the pass, receiving the ball, and finishing positions.

Ball 2 is played to the attackers with the intent of getting into the box and attacking a cross, and the move plays to a finish [1b]. The aim here is for the attackers to think about the type of cross to use, arriving in the box, and the finish.

Ball 3 is played to the attackers with the intent of creating a move in and around the penalty box, and the move plays to a finish [1c]. The aim here is for the attackers to consider their movement, the timing, the type of pass, and the finish.

Three new attackers come in to face two new defenders and the activity begins again.

[1a]

1. Three attackers go, two defenders come out

2. Ball 1 is played to the attackers, with the intent of launching a fast attack

3. Attackers should think about creating a 2v1, timing of the pass, receiving the ball and finishing positions

4. The move plays to a finish

In the second phase, the create phase, the aim is to eliminate the defending team’s midfield line, working specifically on coordinated movement to disrupt the opposition to create options to receive between or behind that line [1b].

In the third phase, the finish phase, we look to play between or behind the defensive line, working on the timing and the type of movements to receive onside. This off-front movement needs to be supported with in-behind runs [1c].

The defending team begin organised, and set up on the flat marker lines. When play starts, the defending team have restrictions on which units can move to defend. The freedom for each unit increases as the practice builds. As the practice progresses, we can also enable defending the space in front, but the forward and midfield units cannot defend the space behind them once the line has been broken.

[1b]

1. Ball 2 is played to the attackers, with the intent of getting into the box and attacking a cross

2. The attackers should think about the type of cross to use, arriving in the box, and the finish

3. The move plays to a finish

[1c] 

1. Ball 3 is played to the attackers, intent of creating a move in and around the penalty box

2. The attackers should consider their movement, timing, type of pass and the finish

3. The move plays to a finish
   
   

4v3s

We set up in an area less than the length and width of the pitch, with full size goals and goalkeepers now in position. The coach plays ball in to the attacking team (in this example, reds). The reds launch an attack and look to score a goal as blues defend [2a]. If the blues win the ball, they look to transfer the ball to the other half of the pitch, where their teammates can launch a 4v3 attack of their own [2b].

Players are locked in their half of the pitch. Here we are looking for interception of passes, attacking with speed, running with the ball, forward running, creating 2v1 where possible, timing, weight and accuracy of passes, spotting the final pass, and finishing.

[2a] 

1. Players are locked in their half of the pitch

2. Coach plays ball in to attacking team (reds)

3. Reds launch an attack, blues defend

4. Reds look to score a goal

[2b] 

1. If blues intercept, they look to transfer the ball to their teammates in the other half of the pitch, who then launch an attack