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This session is about counter-attacking through your striker and using an extra man in overload situations. It’s a scenario that always develops in matches and is worth running regularly so attackers, particulalry can practise their movement and make the most of the forward moves. We relate this session to our upcoming opponents so it becomes the perfect practice for players.
Area | Space in between penalty boxes |
Equipment | Balls, cones, goals |
No. of Players | Up to 14 |
Session Time |
Session 20mins, game 15mins |
This session is about counter-attacking through your striker and using an extra man in overload situations. It’s a scenario that always develops in matches and is worth running regularly so attackers, in particular, can practise their movement and make the most of the forward moves.
We relate this session to our upcoming opponents so it becomes the perfect practice for players. So we’ll examine who we are playing next and what characteristics their defenders have – big, slow, quick, strong, tricky etc. We then set up the practice based on their defending characteristics.
In the space between two penalty areas we place two defenders and a striker in each half. From one end, an attacking pair move in, and one receives the ball from the keeper. Unopposed, the pair make a pass between themselves (1a) then, before reaching the halfway line, feed the lone striker in the other half. He must evade the defenders near him and work the ball back to his two supporting men who continue their runs, looking for the attack to end with a shot on goal (1b).
At the end of the move, the strikers leave the area and are replaced by a new pair, who repeat the task in the other direction (1c/1d). We then rotate players.
Restrictions can be placed to test players and vary difficulty, such as allowing only six seconds before a finish must be made, or instructing defenders to only become active when the pass into the striker is made. And to progress, we can limit touches or reduce the time to four seconds.
High tempo and good attacking pace is very important, and strikers must draw defenders in, which is why the quality of the initial pass into the striker’s feet is crucial.
We’re looking for clever striker movement – away to come short or a quick turn; body shape - side on or flat; and an ability to hold up play. He also needs to be aware of space and the benefits of releasing the ball quickly to prevent tackles.
For a small-sided game, we place together two penalty boxes to form a 44x36-yard area, with a goal at each end. 3v3 in each half, strikers follow their passes into the other half to make 4v3 overloads (2a). Now, if a tackle is made, opponents can counter to make a 3v2 overload (2b), or if really alert (and able to beat the recovery run) can push an additional player forward to make a 4v2 advantage.
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