Quick attacks

This session is about quick play going forward. Initially in the main practice the three attackers are faced with one defender and have to make the right decision about when and where to pass the ball in relation to the defender’s positioning. As the session progresses, attackers play against two defenders and then three.

We would run this practice twice a week with the emphasis on getting players to understand the system and their roles within it. Players should play with freedom and without fear, with the emphasis on technical quality.

In the future I think successful teams will need to possess a number of qualities. They must be able to counter-attack instantly at optimum speed. They will also need to build play with patience and precision, using pace to penetrate when necessary. It will be important to play fast and accurately in congested areas, breaking down the defensive block, but teams must be versatile enough to also play a controlled possession-based game. This session helps to develop all of these qualities.

What do I get the players to do?

Quick attacks 1

We set up an area of 32x40 yards, split into a 20-yard central zone and two six-yard scoring zones. Each scoring zone contains two small goals. We’re using six players, divided into an attacking team of three and a defending team of three. We start with three attackers going up against one defender, as shown [1]. The remaining defenders are off the pitch – one starts on the touchline and the other starts behind the opposition byline and they are waiting for the opportunity to make recovery runs.

1

One of the attackers begins with the ball in his defensive end zone and he plays a starting pass to a team mate in the central zone, usually the player furthest from the defenders. The three attackers then combine to attack the two goals in the scoring zone, but as soon as the starting pass has been received, the two recovering defenders are released and join their team mate in trying to stop the attackers scoring.

An attack ends when a goal is scored, or when the ball goes out of play. When the defenders win the ball, they counter-attack the two goals at the other end.

What are the key things to look for?

We want to see that the attackers recognise that the player who has the best chance of scoring, or creating a scoring chance, is the attacker who is furthest from the three defenders when the starting ball is played.

We also want to see fast, attacking, creative football, with players able to demonstrate good decision making and game understanding. Players should be able to protect the ball when necessary and make decisive moves when on the ball and use good movement when off the ball.

Quick attacks 2

We use the same basic set-up as before, but this time two defenders start in front of the pair of goals they are defending, with one recovering defender starting behind the opposition byline.

As before, the deepest attacker starts play with a forward pass and when one of his team mates receives the ball, the waiting defender is free to make a recovery run to help defend against the attack, as shown [2].

2

We count how many goals the attackers can score in sequence without losing possession or allowing the ball to go out of play.

What are the key things to look for?

It is important for the attackers to create a 2v1. They should move the ball quickly onto the flank that is best for exploiting a 2v1 situation – that is where the nearest defender to the ball will challenge first and where the second defender is no longer able to intervene as he is covering the movement on the other flank.

We want to see the attackers moving the play quickly to create the 2v1 overload before the recovering defender can get back to help.

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

Players can pass too slowly and direct the ball behind their team mates or too near a defender. They can also take too many touches and move so slowly that they allow recovering defenders back into position. To remedy this, impress on the players the need for accuracy and speed.

How do I progress the session?

Alternating 3v2

We set up using the same area as before, but now we are using nine players, split into three teams of three. One team are the attackers and all three of them begin in the centre zone. The other two teams are the defenders, with one team defending each end. Only two defenders from each team are active while they are in a defensive role, with the third player waiting at the sided to rotate in when their team takes its turn to act as the attackers.

The attackers start with the ball and they attack the two goals at one end in a 3v2 and attempt to score, as shown [3]. When the ball goes dead, they receive a second ball played in by the coach and they turn to attack the other end in another 3v2. If the defenders win the ball, they should clear it out of play.

3

After every five attacks, switch the teams so everyone has a turn at attacking. See which team scores the most goals in 10 attacks.

How would you put this into a game situation?

Small-sided game

We set up an area of 50x35 yards, with a goal and a goalkeeper at each end. We’re using eight outfield players split into two teams of three, plus two floating players who assist the team in possession, making it 5v3 in favour of the attackers, as shown [4].

4