DEVELOP THE WHAT

We set up on two 30x20yd pitches parallel to each other. The ball starts with A. A passes the ball into B’s path. B returns the ball into A’s path. A passes the ball around the outside of the relevant mannequin to C or D (depending on which pitch is being used) [1a].

Once this pass has been played, B moves into attack and supports C or D to create a 2v1 situation. The two attacking players seek to combine and score. The defender should advance towards C/D and B and try to prevent them from scoring [1b]. The attackers are given a six-second period in which to score so as to promote speed of play and encourage the players to take full advantage of the overload.

If the defender or goalkeeper wins the ball, they have to try to score in the opposite goal [1c]. Once a sequence concludes, players should rotate as follows: A moves to station B, B moves to station C or D (depending on which pitch is being used) and C or D moves to station A.

Rotate the defenders after three minutes. We run this for four reps of five minutes, with one minute of rest in between.

This exercise provides the attacking team with a 2v1 overload situation and aims to allow players to hone the technical skills required to execute the overload effectively and quickly. The session is underpinned by repetition in order to offer players plenty of touches of the ball and a lot of ball rolling time should be a feature so as to allow players to fully grasp the principles involved in 2v1 overloads.

In this exercise, speed of play is important as overloads need to be executed quickly in order to take full advantage of the scenario. The quality of passes (in terms of weight, timing and accuracy) is crucial in ensuring that overloads are executed successfully. Consideration should be given to whether a pass is played into a player’s back or front foot. Encourage players to play intelligent passes into the path of their intended target.

Attacking players should aim to time their runs to the pass and their teammates’ movement to ensure that the overload is successful. Overlaps and underlaps can create decoys and provide the space the ball carrier needs to take a shot on goal. Support players have to pay attention to the offside rule and give the ball carrier the option of playing a pass or taking an uncontested shot.

We can vary this. One option would be rather than carrying the ball directly towards goal, C/D drives inside with the ball to create space behind them for B to make an overlapping run, and B has to go around the mannequin at Station C before offering support in attack. The other alternative would be for C to move backwards and away from the mannequin before passing the ball to B, and C then advances to support B in the 2v1 scenario. 

[1a]

1. The ball starts with A

2. A passes the ball into B’s path

3. B returns the ball into A’s path

[1b]

1. A passes the ball around the outside of the relevant mannequin to C

2. B moves into attack and supports C to create a 2v1 situation

3. Red defender moves towards C and B to prevent them from scoring

4. C and B look to score past goalkeeper

[1c]

1. Red defender wins ball

2. Red defender looks to score in opposite goal

WAVE GAME

We set up on a pitch of 35x45yds. We split our players into two teams: eight blues and six reds, with a goalkeeper in each goal. A blue player begins the drill.

Wave 1: 1v0 – the player at station 1 passes the ball to the striker, who is positioned in the centre of the pitch. The striker has a maximum of two touches with which to score [2a].

Wave 2: 2v1 – a red player from stations 4 and 5 enters the pitch to create a 2v1 scenario and attack the opposition’s goal. The blue striker becomes the defender [2b].

Wave 3: 3v2 – a blue player from stations 2 and 3 enters the pitch to create a 3v2 scenario. The two players from the red team become the defenders [2c].

Wave 4: 4v3 – a red player from stations 4 and 5 enters the pitch to create a 4v3 scenario. The three players from the blue team become the defenders [2d].

Restart the sequence with wave 1 at station 1.

We run this for six minutes before changing ends, and play for a total of 24 minutes so as to allow each team to attack both ends twice.

[2a]

1. Player at station 1 passes the ball to the striker, who is positioned in the centre of the pitch

2. Striker has a maximum of two touches with which to score

[2b]

1. A red player from stations 4 and 5 enters the pitch to create a 2v1 scenario and attack the opposition’s goal

2. The blue striker becomes the defender

We can offer some variations. If the defending team win the ball, they have two options. First, the player who wins the ball can attack “underloaded” (ie at a numerical disadvantage) and their team are awarded two points if they score. Alternatively, the player who wins the ball can bring the next wave of players into play to create an overload. This means the player who wins the ball must make a quick decision about whether to attack “underloaded” or create an overload. 

This exercise highlights the numerous ways in which an attacking team can take advantage of an overload situation and use the spare player to great effect. By launching wave after wave of attack, players are able to focus on creative movements, such as overlaps and underlaps, as well as well-timed passes that enable a team to take full advantage of having an extra player in these real-game scenarios.

Attacking players need to make the most of the spare player and focus on the weight and accuracy of the final pass. By making intelligent runs off the ball, attacking players can create space for themselves and their teammates. Players can make overlaps and underlaps to make it even harder for defenders to pick them up and block off scoring chances. 

Attacking players can take up wide positions to stretch defenders and create space for their team-mates to attack.

High intensity should be adopted in all areas and scenarios in order to truly replicate real-game situations. For example, players should be quick to react in transitions. We can progress the session by making the players at stations 2 and 3 start closer to their own goal, or regress it by making the players at stations 2 and 3 start closer to the opposition’s goal.

[2c]

1. A blue player from stations 2 and 3 enters the pitch to create a 3v2 scenario

2. The two players from the red team become the defenders

[2d]

1. A red player from stations 4 and 5 enters the pitch to create a 4v3 scenario

2. The three players from the blue team become the defenders. 

GAME PRACTICE

We set up on a pitch of 40x45yds, split in half, with a two-metre free zone that runs one metre either side of the imaginary halfway line. Split the players into two teams, seven blue, seven red. One of the red team waits to the side of the goal, off the pitch.

The blue team set up in one half of the pitch with a back four. The red team line up with three attackers (two wide attackers and one centre forward) in the same half as the blue team’s back four.

In the other half, the blue team set up with three attackers, and the red team line up with three centre backs.

The sequence always begins with the goalkeeper. The blue team build from the back and aim for one of their full-backs to enter the free zone with the ball. The red team try to prevent the ball from entering the free zone [3a].

[3a]

1. The blue team build from the back and aim for one of their full-backs to enter the free zone with the ball

2. The red team try to prevent the ball from entering the free zone 

Once the blue full-back enters the free zone, they need to carry the ball into the other half of the pitch and this sees the players in this half become active. When the blue full back advances into this half, the blue team attack with a 4v3 overload [3b].

Once the ball is out of play, the red team restart play and repeat the sequence. When the red team’s attack finishes, the player on the red team who moved forwards to create the 4v3 overload leaves the pitch and is replaced by the spare player, who has been waiting beside the goal.

Only one player is allowed to transfer from one half to the other at a time to create the 4v3 scenario.

We run this for five reps of five minutes, with one minute of rest in between.

This challenges the attacking team to create an effective 4v3 overload and take advantage of the spare player in a real-game scenario. By passing quickly, making over- and underlapping runs and playing with width, the attacking team are able to use the extra player to create good goalscoring chances.

Emphasise the need to make the most of the spare player in the final third of the pitch. How can the team create a 2v1 scenario?

When in possession, teams should make the pitch wider and longer to make the overload more effective.

In transition, attacking players need to pass and make forward movements immediately in order to take advantage of the imbalance in the opposition’s defence. 

When the wingers drop into the free zone in search of possession, they should pay attention to their body shape and look to receive the ball on the back foot so as to allow them to turn and play forwards at greater speed. 

Players should recognise and react to their opponents’ movement. If the opposing winger tracks the full-back, the team could try to play more direct and through the middle. If the opposing winger stays narrow, the attacking team can try to find a solution by playing around the winger in question and then forwards.

[3b]

1. Once the blue full-back enters the free zone, they need to carry the ball into the other half of the pitch

2. Blue team attack with a 4v3 overload

We can offer some progressions and additional conditions as follows:

Progression 1: the defending team’s wingers have to mark full-backs player-for-player and prevent them from receiving the ball. 

Condition: the attacking team’s wingers are allowed to drop into the free zone to receive
the ball. The defenders are not allowed to
follow them.

Progression 2: the three attacking defenders are allowed to drop off into a mid-block in order to shut off passes into the half-space.

Condition: the attacking team have to move the ball more quickly in order to find a free player as they can no longer play a pass straight into the centre of the pitch.

Condition: the wingers on the team in possession can take turns dropping into the free zone for three seconds at a time. The two remaining attackers are tasked with stretching the defenders.

coaching points

What are the key things to look out for?

When working an overload, the attacking team should look to pick out and use the spare player effectively at all times.

Attacking players should interchange positions and make intelligent runs in order to create and exploit overload scenarios.

Overlaps and underlaps represent a very effective means of creating space for players on and off the ball, and can serve as decoys that cause a defender to make mistakes.

The timing, weight and accuracy of the final pass are critical to the successful execution of the overload scenario.

The attacking team should seek to create 2v1 scenarios within 4v3 and 3v2 overloads as this will allow them to use the spare player more effectively, whilst also serving to isolate the defender. 

Throughout, we are looking for:

• Detail in pass – is it to back foot, front foot or into space?
• Effort and willingness to learn (energy in runs)
• Technical detail and quality (first touch, body shape -side-on scanning) 
• Decision-making: when to pass and type of pass 
• Movement to create overloads 

What are the typical mistakes players might make and how do I avoid them?

• Decision-making when to pass and when to beat a player in real time 
• Playing at a high intensity 
• Movement to create 2v1s and exploit the overload 
• Building up play with overloads 
• Finishing attacks and being clinical